S'Touring race 2: A double GT

Tarquini, who started from 15th on the reversed grid after his race one win, clawed his way into the top 10 of the opening lap, which was led by privateer BMW racer Paulo Zadra until he was overhauled at the start of lap two by Felipe Massa in his works Alfa Romeo. His team leader, Fabrizio Giovanardi, was very lucky to escape unscathed from a startline collision, meanwhile, with Matt Neal's Nissan Primera, which put the Briton firmly into the pit wall and out of the race.

Giovanardi escaped and was up to second by lap three, with Tarquini not far behind him. The duo gobbled up the gap between them and Massa, who looked to be struggling after a frantic race to repair a wishbone damaged in race one in the 10-minute repair window before the start of race two.

Massa, as expected, pulled aside for Giovanardi to pass, but also allowed Tarquini to follow suit as the 20-year-old Brazilian seemed in no mood to get in the way of their championship duel.

That left a straight fight between Giovanardi and Tarquini. The Honda man was obviously the quicker, but the Alfa star was in no mood to let him past with an ever-decreasing title lead to defend.

After three laps of constant pressure, and a friendly tap on the rear at Fangio on lap five, Tarquini took a wide line into the first corner on lap eight and drew alongside Giovanardi on the exit. They raced side-by-side to the fast Varzi kink where, with less than inches separating them, Tarquini sliced ahead.

It didn't end there, though. Tarquini had seemingly gone in far too quickly - and on the dirty side of the track - for the following Le Mans hairpin, but the former BTCC champion just managed to hold it all together and fend Giovanardi off.

Beaten, and obviously struggling for pace, Giovanardi dropped away for Tarquini and into the clutches of an inspired Gianluca De Lorenzi (BMW) and Tarquini's team mate James Thompson.

Although De Lorenzi gave Giovanardi a cheeky tap at Bugatti on the final lap, that's the order they crossed the line.

Gabriele Tarquini, Honda Accord, 13 laps
Fabrizio Giovanardi, Alfa Romeo 156, +1.952s
Gianluca de Lorenzi, BMW 320i, +2.222s
James Thompson, Honda Accord, +2.374s
Nicola Larini, Alfa Romeo 156, +6.752s
Felipe Massa, Alfa Romeo 156, +7.590s