First win of the season for Mugelli at Vallelunga
Massimiliano Mugelli and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta of PRS Motorsport at last took their much-awaited maiden win in TCR Italy. They had to wait Round 11 at Vallelunga where performed a perfect race, beating young guns Matteo Greco and Jacopo Guidetti. The reigning champion Salvatore Tavano was only 5th today but remained a solid points leader, thanks to the misfortunes of his rivals Marco Pellegrini and Enrico Bettera. Pellegrini, who had set the pole but was demoted to third on the grid following a sanction for not respecting the blue flags, made a bad start. Mugelli, who had inherited the pole position, took the lead after a close fight with Bettera. Greco was third ahead of Guidetti, Tavano and Pellegrini, who made contact with Eric Scalvini, went off and had to pit with a punctured tyre.
IBettera passed Mugelli for the lead at the Cimini bend and seemed in a position to pull away, posting the fastest lap. Nevertheless, Mugelli managed to reduce the gap and begin putting the pressure on Bettera who made a small mistake that Mugelli used to steal the lead. Unfortunately for Bettera, he made another mistake at the Tornatino braking one lap later and was passed by Greco. A couple of laps later, Guidetti too overtook him for third, at the end of the straight.
The final laps did not see major changes, with Mugelli winning ahead of Greco, Guidetti, Bettera, Tavano and Scalvini who was first in the DSG class.
The second race will start tomorrow at 9:20 CET; live streaming at www.tcr-series.com and www.tcr-series.tv.
Race 1
1. Massimiliano Mugelli (PRS Motorsport, Alfa Romeo Giulietta), 16 laps
2. Matteo Greco (Scuderia del Girasole, CUPRA), 4.658
3. Jacopo Guidetti (BF Motorsport, Audi RS 3 LMS), 8.957
4. Enrico Bettera (PitLane Competizioni, Audi RS 3 LMS), 11.468
5. Salvatore Tavano (Scuderia del Girasole, CUPRA), 12.148
Championship points
1. Tavano 139 pts; 2. Greco 106; 3. Pellegrini 101
