Race 2 Fresh from winning his third consecutive French Clio Cup, Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) clinched the inaugural Eurocup Clio after posting his fourth win of a dominant season. The prize for the Frenchman is a drive in next year's Eurocup Mégane Trophy. The Italian duo of Massimiliano Pedala (Rangoni Motorsport) and Simone di Luca (Rangoni Motorsport) took second and third respectively on the race podium.
Taking his accustomed pole position on the grid, Milan was joined on the front row by Salvatore Alcarese (Rangoni Motorsport), while his closest pursuer in the overall standings, Mike Verschuur (Equipe Verschuur), qualified well down in ninth.Quickest out of the blocks, Milan led from Di Luca and Pedala, who surged up from fifth. Philippe Maurin (Duprey Compétition) also made a fast start, spurting into fourth at the expense of Arcarese, who fell from second to fifth and dropped one place further back when Marc Guillot (Milan Compétition) went past him.Title contender Verschuur was having a day to forget, meanwhile. Languishing down the race order, his chances of overall success evaporated when he was forced to abandon after one collision too many, virtually guaranteeing race leader Milan the title.Exerting pressure on Di Luca and Pedala as they gave chase in vain to the escaping Milan were Maurin and Guillot, the latter maintaining his pace to keep in touch with the Italians.As Milan made his way to win number four of a glorious season, the battles for second and fourth intensified, Pedala eventually outflanking Di Luca as the chequered flag neared, while Maurin and Guillot continued their private duel.Milan was completely untroubled out front, however, taking the flag yet again to follow up his third French Clio Cup triumph by becoming the first Eurocup Clio champion. Awaiting the all-conquering Frenchman is a place in next year's Eurocup Mégane Trophy, the result of a partnership agreement between Renault Sport Technologies and Ellip6.What they said: Nicolas Milan : "I really wanted to win the title here at the Paul Ricard HTTT, not just because we're in France, but also because, with 25 points on offer for a win, I didn't want the pressure of going into the last weekend of the season with the championship still up for grabs. It's fantastic to win this on top of my third French title, and I can't wait to experience some new adventures in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy."
Massimiliano Pedala : "It's been a great weekend for me, with a win and a second place, but it's also been a terrific couple of days for Rangoni Motorsport. I'm happy to be on the podium with Simone di Luca and Salvatore Arcarese, who was the leading junior driver today."
Simone di Luca : "Well done to Nicolas Milan for winning the title and to Massimiliano for his great weekend. I hope we can keep it going at Barcelona. Now that Nicolas has won the championship it might be easier to beat him down there."
