Photo: TCR Media

Jordi Gené celebrates unexpected Sepang win

Jordi Gené took his first win in the TCR International Series after starting from pole position. The Spaniard, who made the most out of the reversed grid, led a SEAT 1-2, with Craft-Bamboo Lukoil team-mate Pepe Oriola taking the runner up spot.

Gené did not expect to be able to win in this opening event, which made it all even sweeter for him:“I am really very happy,” admitted the Spaniard. “I never expected to win in this opening event, first because I haven’t been racing at this level for two years, then because it was a new circuit for me, and also because in practice and in qualifying I had some power issue in my car due to the heat, but everything went perfectly today.”

Gené went on to describe the race, admitting that the last two laps were tough for him:”It was a very tough race, as my opponents were extremely close. I just pushed as much as I could. In the last two laps, I started feeling the tyres were suffering, but I could keep everybody at bay.”

The Race 2 winner finally praised the opening event of the series, predicting more entertainment to come in the next races:”It has been a wonderful debut for the TCR, the level is already extremely high and I am completely convinced we are going to have close and tough racing throughout the season.”

Gené now lies third in the championship, 5 points shy of team-mate Pepe Oriola.