The atypical and spectacular Ricardo Tormo Circuit features fast, technical and varied sections within the arena formed by its infrastructures. In this unique atmosphere well known to MotoGP fans, the competitors will have to master its challenges and corners requiring total commitment... While respecting track limits !

A new state of affairs in the Clio Cup Europe

Round eleven in Valencia will mark a turning point in the title race as from this week, only the top 20 results of the season will count in the general classifications.

While he extended his lead in Austria, David Pouget (GPA Racing) will have his work cut out for him as he will have to finish better than his two poorest results of the year to add to his points tally. His rival Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) will face the same challenge, while he will seek to return the top step of the podium for the first time since Misano in early June. Marc Guillot (Milan Compétition) has become more and more threatening and will have the same goal to distance himself from the chase group led by Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition).

The battle for victory in the Challengers Cup promises to be wide-open. Alexandre Albouy (GPA Racing) and Mathieu Lannepoudenx (Milan Compétition) will look to take advantage of this round to make up ground on Kévin Jimenez (GPA Racing) but they will face stiff competition from Paul Cocaign (TB2S) and several Spaniards racing on home soil.

In the Gentlemen Drivers Cup, which is still very hotly contested, Horn (GPA Racing) will have an opportunity to distance his main rivals although he will have to keep a close eye on Lionel Viguier (TB2S), determined to win the European title after clinching the Group C crown in the category. Stephan Polderman (Chefo Sport), René Steenmetz (Chefo Sport), Javier Cicuendez (Team VRT) and Fabien Julia (LR Performance) have not yet thrown in the towel yet, and they all intend to make that known this weekend !

The mid-season point in Group D

While the final sprint in the races for the European titles is gathering pace, this weekend will be just the third of five rounds in the Group D season.

Leader of the general classification after the Magny-Cours and Castellet meetings, Nicolas Milan leads David Pouget in a reversed scenario to the Clio Cup Europe. The two drivers will thus battle on both fronts in Valencia, while their pursuers will try to close the gap, especially Jordi Palomeras (TB2S) and Alex Royo (Team VRT), who will both want to be the men to beat in their country.

Alexandre Albouy and Mathieu Lannepoudenx will try to take the lead in the Challengers , but many Spanish drivers will try to use their knowledge of the Spanish track, such as Alejandro Schimpf (Cota Automoción), Nicolas Abella (Chefo Sport) and Erik Zabala (Team VRT). France’s Guillaume Maio (GM Sport), and Spain’s Daniel Nogales (Cota Automoción), Ivan Riera (Chefo Sport), Alex Lahoz (Cota Automoción) and Antonio Herrerias (Chefo Sport), who made a promising debut at the Red Bull Ring, will all aim for a solid result. Lastly, Adrian Schimpf (Cota Automoción) - Alejandro’s twin brother - will make his 2021 debut in the discipline.

In the Gentlemen Drivers category, Javier Cicuendez will defend his lead in front of his home crowd, but Horn and Stephan Polderman will work hard to get the upper hand on the leader. Meanwhile, René Steenmetz and Joaquin Rodrigo (Vearsa Sport) will try to get back on track before the last two meetings of the group at Monza and Barcelona.

The two Clio Cup Europe races at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia will start at 14h00 on Saturday and 15h15 on Sunday and will be broadcast and commentated live on the Renault Sport Series Facebook page and Renault Sport YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 17 September
9h15-9h45 : Collective test 1
14h15-14h45 : Collective test 2

Saturday 18 September
14h00-14h20 : Qualifying 1
17h25-17h55 : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday 19 September
11h20-11h40 : Qualifying 2
15h15-15h45 : Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Clio Cup Europe – 2021 Calendar
2-5 April : Nogaro - Group B
30 April-2 May : Monza - Group A
7-9 May : Magny-Cours - Groups B & D
14-16 May : Hockenheim - Groups B & C
4-6 June : Misano - Group A
18-20 June : Le Castellet - Groups B & D
9-11 July : Hungaroring - Groups A & C
23-25 July : Imola - Group A
28-31 July : Spa-Francorchamps - Group C
10-12 September : Red Bull Ring - Groups A & C
17-19 September : Valencia - Group D
1-3 October : Le Castellet - Group B
29-31 October : Monza - Groups A, C & D
12-14 November : Barcelona - Groups B & D

Entry list