Michael Markussen tops two days of pre-season testing at Padborg

Cupra driver Michael Markussen topped the first official TCR Denmark pre-season test of 2022 at Padborg Park.

The Markussen Racing driver lapped the Danish circuit in 1:01.860 during the first day of testing, a time that was not to be beaten for the remainder of the sessions.

The test also marked the first time the TCR Denmark field used the new-for-2022 Kumho tyres, having run Yokohama previously.

“The new tires are something completely different,” said Markussen.

“It is a good tire, but you have to work with them completely differently, but it is the same for everyone. None of us really know yet which way to go to get the most out of them.”

LM Racing driver Kenn Bach was second fastest, just five hundredths of a second behind, and Nicolai Sylvest was third for Green Development, making it a Cupra 1-2-3.

Jacob Mathiassen was fourth fastest behind the wheel of his new Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR, setting a time of 1:01.947.

René Povlsen, who is driving a new generation Audi RS 3 LMS, rounded off the top five – just one tenth from the fastest time.

A total of 13 cars took part in the test, with reigning champion Kasper Jensen and Gustav Birch missing due to clashing GT commitments.