Winning race two during a drama-packed encounter at Spa keeps Alfa Romeo driver Fabrizio Giovanardi's FIA World Touring Car Championship title hopes firmly on track.

The former double FIA European Touring Car Champion has now taken three wins so far this year, cementing his position as the in-form driver for the Italian marque. His years at the front have taught Giovanardi that in the rough and tumble of tin-top racing you have to first finish the race to score points, a fact somewhat lost on many of the less experienced drivers in the inaugural WTCC. In fact his consistency - which after a difficult start to the season - has now seen him scoring points in each of the last nine races, and keeps him snapping firmly at the heels of championship leader Dirk Muller.

His Alfa Romeo team-mates, James Thompson and Augusto Farfus, both scored consistently in each of the races, while Gabriele Tarquini took a fifth place in race one, but crashed out in race two - a state of affairs that sees him slip further adrift in the title hunt.

RACE 1

Soheil Ayari (who qualified 24th) was demoted at the back of the grid due to an engine change. Andy Priaulx claimed the race lead off the starting line. At the first corner Dirk Müller overtook team-mate Jörg Müller. SEAT Sport driver, Gené and Alfa Romeo driver Tarquini made contact which resulted in the former spinning and rejoining in 19th position. Funke rolled his Ford Focus car as he was pushed wide at Combes, which meant one lap was completed under safety car conditions.

Priaulx got a good start as the safety car entered the pits while Dirk overtook Farfus to move up to second. Another BMW/Alfa Romeo battle was taking place as Jörg and Tarquini fought for fourth spot. Lap 4 saw Plato overtake Giovanardi for 8th. However, the latter reclaimed the final point scoring position while the SEAT driver had a battle with García for 7th. Dirk overtook Priaulx on lap 5 to take the lead but the Briton remained close and they entered lap 6 with just 0.541 seconds between them.

The remaining laps were packed full of action as Priaulx tried to attain his first race win of the season, his challenge however did not come into fruition. Jörg made a move on Farfus at the last corner of the final lap and the two crossed the line side by side with smoke billowing out of Jörg’s rear right tyre.
 

It was a BMW 1-2-3 as the front of Jörg’s car was just 0.022 of a second ahead of Farfus’s Alfa. Coronel kept hold of his 14th place start to win the Independent category. Behind him for 15th place was Menu, the best of the Chevrolet team while the remaining Ford driven by Klenke was 22nd. Ayari finished 24th in his Peugeot after a spin.

RACE 2

As the cars lined up on a damp track, the reverse grid meant Giovanardi started on pole, and took the lead at the start chased by García, Tarquini and Thompson. As the field dived down to the Eau Rouge, Priaulx, Farfus and Dirk Müller were involved in an accident. Priaulx’s car was so damaged that he had to retire, whereas Farfus and Dirk were able to rejoin. Also during the first lap, Jörg Müller overtook Thompson for fourth and Tarquini drifted wide at a corner losing three places as he rejoined in fifth.

Jörg proceeded to suffer problems and had to pay a visit to the pits. More action occurred as Hennerici and Rydell made contact, both came off the track: the Swede retired while Hennerici rejoined. Thompson pitted on lap 2 after being overtaken by many drivers.

Giovanardi looked set to secure his third victory of the season when on lap 3 Klenke was touched by Larini’s Chevrolet, which caused the Ford to skid through the Bus Stop chicane and collect Gene’s SEAT. The damage to both cars was extensive and the safety car made its second appearance of the day, this time for three laps. The race resumed with just one lap remaining, with Giovanardi closely chased by García, Tarquini and Dirk Müller. While trying to outbrake each other at the Bus Stop, García and Tarquini clashed, involving Dirk Müller. D’Aste, who was fighting for fifth position with Coronel and Menu cut across the chicane to avoid the three spinning cars, and rejoined the track well ahead of Giovanardi.

This manoeuvre eventually saw him slapped with a three-second penalty, meaning that Giovanardi was able to score his third win of the year, from D’Aste, Coronel and Farfus. Dirk Müller obtained an important fifth place, while Alain Menu finished sixth and scored his first championship points.