Photo: TCR Italy

Michele Imberti claims dominant Imola season opener pole position

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Michele Imberti (Hyundai) was in a class of his own during the first TCR Italy qualifying session of 2026 at Imola, clinching pole by more than seven tenths of a second.

The Kombat Motorsport driver was alone in going below the 1:50 mark at the Italian circuit with 1:49.538, 0.717 seconds faster than Matteo Poloni (Audi) in second place.

Denis Babuin claimed third for Planet Motorsport, a full 1.3 seconds from the pole time.

Argentinian newcomer Ramiro Zago qualified a solid fourth for Honda team MM Motorsport, 1.454 seconds slower than Imberti.

Paolo Rocca took his Aikoa Racing-prepared Audi to fifth place ahead of Cupra driver Sandro Pelatti in sixth.

Marco Pellegrini and Alberto Bocca rounded off the top eight, 2.3 and 2.5 seconds from pole respectively.

The first race of the weekend stats at 13:15 CEST today.