Renaud Kuppens, from Konvex Motorsport, has claimed the first race in the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series taking place this weekend at Nuerburgring. The first of three races on German soil started later than planned because of the bad conditions. The fog, especially, was the culprit as the entire race schedule was pushed back.The reigning champion, from Belgium, claimed pole position in both qualifying sessions held this afternoon. In the race, making the most of his position and a good start, Kuppens shut out the other drivers at turn one and pushed on to the finish without being caught. Second across the line was the Dane Mikkel Mac, just 4.369 seconds off winning pace; a little further back, 10.505 seconds, was Alan Simoni.In fourth came Frenchman Ange Barde as he held off Swiss Teams tenacious Riccardo Romagnoli, who had to make do with fifth. In eighth came Fabio Venier (Swiss Team), as he completed a superb comeback after being regulated to the eleventh row, as regulations state, for changing a damaged tyre. The Swiss driver had originally set the second best time.Trofeo Maserati guest, Shinichi Katsura, from Japan, came home sixteenth but will not score any championship points.Renaud Kuppens: I have to admit that the race went very well. Qualifying was brilliant and I kept the pace up during the race. The car is fantastic to drive and this was partly due to the tyres that were consistent and high-performing throughout the 30 minutes. The set up was also spot on and I have to thank my engineer for that; it allowed me to go for it from start to finish. Nuerburgring is my favourite circuit in Europe and I think I showed that today.Race 1 result1. Renaud Kuppens 30:03.424*2. Mikkel Mac 30:07.7933. Simoni/Ragazzi 30:13.929*taking part in the Pirelli Team Cup