Photo: WTCC Media

Porteiro wins the first race at Brno

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Félix Porteiro turned his first pole of the season into his and BMW Team Italy-Spain’s first victory. Alex Zanardi overtook Augusto Farfus for third position on lap seven making it a double celebration for the team. Jörg Müller completed the BMW podium in second place.

At the first corner Andy Priaulx’s car was hit by Pierre-Yves Corthals in an accident which is under investigation.

Jordi Gené also got caught up in the incident and strayed into the gravel but while the Spaniard continued and finished 15th, the reigning champion’s race was over.

On the same lap Tom Coronel from GR Asia and Luca Rangoni for Proteam Motorsport clashed, with the former not able to continue. The second lap was completed under safety car conditions.

There was a tough battle for the independent win with Corthals and Massimiliano Pedalà overtaking each other on numerous occasions.

Eventually Pedalà was the more successful and despite chasing James Thompson for 9th he finished 10th for SEAT Sport Italia while Corthals of Exagon Racing came home 12th.

Nicola Larini crossed the line fifth for Chevrolet while his team-mate Alain Menu secured eighth and pole position for race two. Sandwiched in between the blue cars were Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini of SEAT Sport.