Abarth 500 Trophy: Salvatore Tavano stands out at Mugello - Solid debut achievement in circuit racing for Paolo Bettini

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Sicily's Salvatore Tavano has dominated the second round of the Abarth 500 Trophy, which took place at the Mugello circuit. Indeed, Tavano won both races and scored maximum points by posting the fastest lap time at an average speed of over 140kph. Thanks to this result, he now leads the standings of the Abarth 500 Trophy, in front of Manuel Villa from Liguria, Andrea Rizzoli from Emilia and Venetian Nicola Baldan.

World and Olympic cycling Champion Paolo Bettini achieved a good performance. Having posted the 24th time in qualifying, he started Race 1 from the 12th row and climbed up to 15th, eventually passing some competitors and achieving a remarkable 12th fastest time. Unfortunately, he made a mistake in the last lap when he went off the track. The car was repaired so that the champ could start the second race from the sixth row of the grid. He secured a commendable 18th place overall as he took the chequered flag.

In the Under 23 category, Alex Campani, from Emilia, took the honours after finishing ninth in Race 1 and eighth in Race 2.

Tavano made a good start in Race 1 and led all the way, followed by Giammaria and Rizzoli. Qualified fourth, Iorio started from the pit lane. Into the first chicane, the cars of Michela Cerruti and Luca Previtali collided and the young lady driver's car remained in the middle of the track, leading to the deployment of the safety car. The race resumed on lap 4. In lap 5, Cimarelli - who was 4th - was attempting to pass Rizzoli when he missed his braking point at the entrance of the “San Donato” curve and went off the track. Tavano took the win with the satisfaction of having set the fastest lap time, this allowing him to start Race 2 from pole position.

Tavano started Race 2 in the lead again and gradually increased the gap over his rivals. Baldan was on his heels and maintained his second position while the fight for third was at its hottest between Francesco Iorio and Raffaele Giammaria. Having started from the fourth row, Babuin recovered positions to finally succeed in conquering the third step of the podium.

The next round of the Abarth 500 Trophy will take place at the Imola circuit on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May. On May 30 will also get underway the Abarth 500 European Trophy whose rounds are organised as WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) support races. It consists of six international meetings featuring the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse which has not disappointed the expectations of the drivers and of the public so far, putting on a strong show at the Monza and Mugello circuits.

Race 1 classification: 1. Salvatore Tavano 8 laps in 21min40.098s - average speed 116.188 kph (3 laps behind the safety car); 2. Raffaele Giammaria in 21min41.860s; 3. Andrea Rizzoli in 21min45.622s; 4. Manuel Villa in 21min46.716s; 5. Emanuele Moncini in 21min47.588s; 6. Nicola Baldan in 21min47.917s; 7. “Yolly” in 21min48.551s; 8. Manuel Lasagni in 21min52.430s; 9. Alex Campani in 22min01.281s; 10. Alessandro Frigerio in 22min01.502s.

Race 2 classification: 1. Salvatore Tavano 8 laps in 18min14.880s - average speed 137.965 kph; 2. Nicola Baldan in 18min18.318s; 3. Denis Babuin in 18min20.519s; 4. Raffaele Giammaria in 18min21.231s; 5. Andrea Rizzoli in 18min21.943s; 6. Manuel Lasagni in 18min24.172s; 7. Manuel Villa in 18min25.295s; 8. Alex Campani in 18min25.594s; 9. Emanuele Moncini in 18min25.777s; 10. “Yolly” in 18min28.139s.

Abarth 500 Trophy provisional standings: 1. Salvatore Tavano 77 points; 2. Manuel Villa 61; 3. Andrea Rizzoli 60; 3. Nicola Baldan 59; 5. Raffaele Giammaria 56; 6. Denis Babuin 19; 7. Gianluca Giraudi and Tobias Tauber 17; 9. Enrico Fulgenzi and Emanuele Moncini 16.