More than 40 drivers were in the Nièvre for the season’s restart. Clio Cup stalwart Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) set the pace in the first free practice session on Friday before being edged out by Anthony Jurado and David Pouget (GPA Racing) in the second session.

Race 1 : Rangoni Corse in a one-two finish

On Saturday, Nicolas Milan claimed the pole position less than a tenth of a second ahead of Anthony Jurado. Initially third, Adrián Schimpf (AST Competition) had his best time deleted for violating the pitlane safety guidelines. Gabriele Torelli (Rangoni Corse) and David Pouget shared the second row of the grid.

Race 11 of the season began a few hours later. Pole winner Nicolas Milan held on to his advantage while Gabriele Torelli got past teammate Anthony Jurado. Further back, David Pouget was in a duel with Nikola Miljkovic (Tempo Racing), but they made contact, which dropped them down the order.

The trio of Nicolas Milan, Gabriele Torelli and Anthony Jurado quickly pulled away from the field. Anthony Jurado regained second place from Gabriele Torelli on lap four before attacking Nicolas Milan, whose defence of position earned him a five-second penalty. Meanwhile, Alexandre Finkelstein (GPA Racing) resisted the attacks of Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition) and Florian Venturi (GM Sport). However, the three drivers lost out to David Pouget’s comeback just before the safety car intervened following Rémi Belleville’s (FAS Competition) rolled over and escape unscathed.

Although he kept the lead on the restart, Nicolas Milan eventually succumbed to Anthony Jurado’s attacks on the final lap. In the frantic and intense final sprint, the Frenchman won ahead of his countryman, who dropped to eighth place after adding his five-second penalty. Gabriele Torelli and David Pouget completed the podium. Challengers category winner Aurélien Renet finished fourth, ahead of Alexandre Finkelstein and Florian Venturi, best amongst the Juniors. Pierre Bredeaux (Comte Racing Team), Nicolas Milan, Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) and Leonardo Arduini (MC Motortecnica) completed the top ten while Mickaël Carrée (T2CM) was victorious in the Gentlemen class.

Race 2 : Torelli emerges from the chaos

Nicolas Milan again dominated Sunday morning qualifying ahead of Gabriele Torelli. Saturday winner Anthony Jurado was third, followed by Alexandre Finkelstein and Florian Venturi.

Although Gabriele Torelli got the best launch to overtake Nicolas Milan, Alexandre Finkelstein surprised them both at the Adelaide hairpin to take the lead. Nicolas Milan and Anthony Jurado made contact a few metres later and slipped behind Pierre Bredeaux in a field reshuffled by the contact between Nikola Miljkovic and Florian Venturi before the safety car intervened to allow for the evacuation of the competitors eliminated in the opening corners.

At the restart, Gabriele Torelli tucked in behind Alexandre Finkelstein and attacked at Adelaide. The Frenchman’s defence at the entrance cost him dearly and led to his retirement, while Anthony Jurado and Nicolas Milan promptly overtook Gabriele Torelli. However, the Italian took advantage of their fierce duel to reclaim the lead on lap seven as Nikola Miljkovic and David Pouget drew closer.

In the final minutes, Anthony Jurado and Nicolas Milan went on the offensive, although they were penalised five and ten seconds respectively for their involvement in several collisions. Anthony Jurado, Gabriele Torelli and Nicolas Milan formed the trifecta at the chequered flag, but Gabriele Torelli won ahead of Challenger Nikola Miljkovic and David Pouget. Anthony Jurado dropped to fourth place, followed by Florian Venturi, first again amongst the Juniors. Sixth after an intense battle in the field, Leonardo Arduini was ahead of Aurélien Renet, Lorenzo van Riet (Rangoni Corse), Guillaume Maio and Mauro Polderman (AST Competition). Thirteenth-placed Mickaël Carrée sealed his home double in the Gentlemen category.

CLIO CUP SERIES

Anthony Jurado and Gabriele Torelli gave Rangoni Corse a brace of victories in the Clio Cup headliner competition. Sunday winner Gabriele Torelli now leads Nicolas Milan by 100 points. In the Junior category, Leonardo Arduini won for the first time on Saturday before doing so again the following day to open up a 15-point advantage over Damiano Puccetti. Despite Guillaume Maio’s and Nikola Miljkovic’s successes, Lorenzo van Riet maintains his lead in the Challengers category, while Mickaël Carrée scored an excellent double in the Gentlemen category.

CLIO CUP FRANCE

The penultimate round of the Clio Cup France calendar saw Gabriele Torelli win ahead of David Pouget on Saturday and Sunday. The Italian racer now has a 57-point lead over Nicolas Milan, with just 100 points still up for grabs. The various internal classifications all concluded in the Nièvre. With two wins in his class, Florian Venturi has clinched the Juniors title, as has Calvin Comte in the Challengers and Mickaël Carrée - again ! - in the Gentlemen category. Of particular note, this weekend was the debut of Nicolas Milan Jr, son of the eponymous driver who will try to beat the odds to claim a ninth Clio Cup France title at the season finale at the Circuit Paul Ricard (2-4 October).

CLIO CUP MID-EUROPE

This weekend marked the halfway point for the Clio Cup Mid-Europe. Aurélien Renet and Nikola Miljkovic shared the honours, but Lorenzo van Riet retains the overall lead by 44 points over Guillaume Maio. However, the Dutchman saw his pursuers return to the Challengers category, where he now only has a 16-point advantage over the chase group. There is still everything to play for in the Juniors category, with Thomas Compain (Milan Compétition) now leading for just two points after wins by Jack Byrne (GPA Racing) and Mauro Polderman (AST Competition).

The Clio Cup Series will enter its final third of the season at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (12-14 September). The seventh meeting of the season will also host the season finale of Clio Cup España, the third round of the Clio Cup Italia and the penultimate round of the Clio Cup Mid-Europe.

Results - Clio Cup Series - Clio Cup France - Clio Cup Mid-Europe