MASERATI TROFEO MC WORLD SERIES – Wins for Sernagiotto and Kuppens at Portimao

Giorgio Sernagiotto and Renaud Kuppens (Konvex Motorsport) secured races 2 and 3 at the second round of the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series. The Portuguese circuit of Portimao was the stage on which 23 crews took to the track this weekend. This round witnessed two exciting races on the Sunday after Monaco-based Cedric Sbirrazzuoli, from AF Corse, had stormed to victory on the Saturday.

Continual lead changes and tight midfield battles characterised the weekend’s first two events, both run over 30 minutes. Giorgio Sernagiotto, in pole, saw Alan Simoni and then young Joe Ghanem speed past at turn 1.

After the safety car had been called for following a lap 2 collision between Gardelli, Cappelletti and El Marnissi, the trio up front stretched into a lead over the chasing pack. In the group, the one driver catching the eye was Riccardo Romagnoli as he made a comeback from the rear of the field.

Joe Ghanem tried to get past Simoni on lap seven but the two came together and Simoni was forced to quit with a broken left rear suspension. Making the most of the crash was Giorgio Sernagiotto who managed to overtake Ghanem into top spot despite having lost his bonnet. Sernagiotto had just about enough to hold off  Riccardo Romagnoli at the finish; Romagnoli had done brilliantly to outdo Kuppens and then Ghanem to pressure Sernagiotto right to the end.

Ghanem again came third, this time behind Sernagiotto and Romagnoli, as he put on another brave display to fend off Kuppens’ last ditch attacks.

The first 50-minute endurance race of the season was also a gripping fight (in this event there is a compulsory pit stop as well as a driver change for crewed cars). In the end it was Renaud Kuppens (Konvex Motorsport) who came out on top. Next up was Joe Ghanem, just 2.091 seconds down, and the Alan Simoni/Riccardo Ragazzi duo, third and 15.772 seconds off the winning time.

The early part of the race was especially tight with the top six drivers bunched up: Riccardo Romagnoli was leading from Gardelli, Ragazzi, Sernagiotto, Kuppens and Ghanem. The race order was always changing with the drivers really going for it.

The pit stops changed the face of the race. First out of the pit lane was Renaud Kuppens, gaining the precious few seconds on Joe Ghanem that he held until the finish. Behind them came Alan Simoni, who had replaced Riccardo Ragazzi, as he comfortably secured third ahead of Gardelli/Venier and Romagnoli/Varini. Next up came the Sernagiotto/Fascicolo crew, giving them an overall series lead on 55 points with Romagnoli/Varini and Renaud Kuppens seconds on 53.

Auto Express journalist Owen Mildenhall, appearing as a guest of Maserati Trofeo World Series, classified eighth in Races 1 and 2 and came tenth in Race 3.

A two-minute report on the Portuguese weekend will be broadcast tonight at midnight during the Motorsport Weekend programme on Eurosport. A 26-minute highlights package will be aired on 7 June at 16.30 on Eurosport2.

Giorgio Sernagiotto: “There was much more action in this race compared to Jarama. I didn’t get off to a good start and was overtaken by Simoni and Ghanem. Then I lost my bonnet but made the most of Simoni dropping out to edge past Ghanem. I took the lead and held on to the end despite Romagnoli’s great comeback. I am pleased and think that the series is an exciting one that will go to the wire”.

Renaud Kuppens (Konvex Motorsport): “It was an enjoyable race but a long one because fifty minutes is a long time behind the wheel. I put in a great lap before the pit stop, left the pits first and kept the lead until the finish. Still, it wasn’t easy because there was a lot of traffic out there and I lost a bit of time but I got the win and am very happy”.