Main race: Thrilling victory for Aiello

After dominating the qualifying race, Aiello (Audi) was outdragged from pole by Uwe Alzen's Mercedes on the run to the first corner, while behind them, Bernd Schneider (Mercedes) did likewise to Christian Abt's Audi for third.

A tremendous three-car battle ensued in the early stages with Aiello looking quicker than Alzen, and Schneider appearing swifter than both of them.

Schneider's extra straightline speed meant gave him the impetus to lunge down the inside of Aiello under braking for the Castrol chicane on lap five, but the Frenchman clung on bravely around the outside. His exit speed compromised, however, he was easy prey for Schneider at the following hairpin.

Schneider now latched on to the boot lid of Alzen as Aiello held a watching brief in third. Abt and the third Audi of Mattias Ekstrom were right behind, until Abt was forced into the pits with a puncture, followed soon after by Ekstrom for exactly the same reason.

Schneider was the first of the leaders to stop for his mandatory pit stop, but all went wrong for the reigning champion, who lost 30secs as the right-rear wheel nut jammed. It was now a straight fight between Alzen and Aiello.

Despite a faster pit stop, Aiello was unable to get out of the pits ahead of Alzen. It was obvious that Laurent had the faster car in the second half of the race - his problem was he would have to get past one of the toughest drivers in the field to do it.

After a tremendous battle which lasted for over 10 laps, Aiello finally found a chink in Alzen's armour when Uwe, who was struggling with his brakes, carried too much speed into the Veedol chicane, got sideways and was unable to defend as Aiello dived past at the following Coca-Cola curve.

Aiello was then untroubled to the flag, winning by 2.8secs from Alzen.

"It was a pleasure to fight like that," said Aiello. "It was a very good battle and we were fair with each other."

Alzen admitted: "That was one of the hardest races I've ever done. It was racing as it was meant to be. I just didn't have enough to keep him behind. I was beaten fair and square."

Patrick Huisman (Mercedes) came through the battlefield behind to take third place, ahead of Thomas Jager (Mercedes) and the lead Opel of Manuel Reuter. The latter was lucky to escape unscathed after a clash with Christijan Albers caused them both to spin at the Castrol chicane.

Schneider finished sixth after his disastrous pitstop, but he increased his championship lead to 49 points.



Laurent Aiello, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 33 laps
Uwe Alzen, 2001 Warsteiner Mercedes CLK, +2.8s
Patrick Huisman, 2001 Eschmann-Manthey Mercedes CLK, +3.8s
Thomas Jager, 2000 Persson Mercedes CLK, +10.3
Manuel Reuter, 2001 Phoenix Opel Astra Coupe, +18.0s
Bernd Schneider, 2001 D2 Mercedes CLK, +20.432s
Bernd Maylander, 2001 Eschmann-Manthey Mercedes CLK, +25.901s
Darren Turner, 2000 Rosberg Mercedes CLK, +26.213s
Christijan Albers, 2000 Persson Mercedes CLK, +26.501s
David Saelens, 2000 Rosberg Mercedes CLK, +29.867s
Michael Bartels, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, +32.682s
Alain Menu, 2001 Euroteam Opel Astra Coupe, +37.871s
Joachim Winkelhock, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, +45.935s
Mattias Ekstrom, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, +1 lap
Peter Mamerow, 2000 Mamerow Opel Astra Coupe, +1 lap
Hubert Haupt, 2000 Euroteam Opel Astra Coupe, +1 lap
Christian Abt, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, pitted too early
Marcel Fassler, 2001 Warsteiner Mercedes CLK, 22 laps
Yves Olivier, 2000 Phoenix Opel Astra Coupe, 22 laps
Timo Scheider, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, 10 laps
Martin Tomczyk, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 5 laps
Peter Dumbreck, 2001 D2 Mercedes CLK, 0 laps