Estoril 2: Another Alfa sweep

If the end result was the same as race one, Tarquini was at least made to work for his win this time. Andy Priaulx, starting from second on the grid, jumped into the lead at the start, with fellow BMW runner Duncan Huisman barging past pole-sitter James Thompson into second.

Despite the top eight finishers from the first race swapping positions on the race two grid, it wasn't long before the works Alfa trio of Roberto Colciago, Tarquini and Nicola Larini were back into contention. Colciago passed Huisman round the outside into turn one on lap three, and within half a lap was past Priaulx into the lead, despite the Briton's best efforts.

Tarquini then forced his way by Priaulx at the very next corner, with Larini soon following through. With the Alfa's filling the top three, it was again time for Colciago to act as a dutiful team player. He allowed Tarquini into the lead on lap five, and Larini into second in lap eight.

Further back, Thompson passed Huisman for fifth, although his 40kg ballast meant that he was unable to make up any time on Priaulx. Huisman was soon passed by Jorg Muller, who had battled his way through the field after he lost a swathe of places at the first turn when he was nudged from behind.

The championship leader was then confronted by the rear of Thommo's Alfa, a familiar sight to him from the first race. Muller applied intense pressure to Thommo, attempting to barge through whenever he saw half an opening, although Thompson was able to make his car extremely wide.

The battle between the two seemed destined to end in acrimony, and duly did on lap eight, when Muller barged down the inside of Thommo at turn three. Thommo held his ground, the two made contact, and the BTCC star was pushed wide into the gravel, dropping him down to eighth.

Gabriele Tarquini Alfa Romeo 156 Gta 22m00.709s
Nicola Larini Alfa Romeo 156 Gta +0.162s
Roberto Colciago Alfa Romeo 156 Gta +0.798s
Andy Priaulx BMW 320i +3.628s
Jorg Muller BMW 320i +9.407s
Duncan Huisman BMW 320i +10.490s
Dirk Muller BMW 320i +10.861s
James Thompson Alfa Romeo 156 Gta +14.336s