Best known for hosting the San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix in MotoGP, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is set to provide some great Clio Cup battles with its long straights and technical corners. The 20 Italian drivers entered will want to win in their beloved Italy, but their seven rivals from across Europe will hope to hold on to their advantage before entering the second third of the season.

The Clio Cup leaders to take up the challenge of Misano

Twenty-seven drivers will be battling in the ever-competitive Clio Cup Europe. After three wins in the last four races, Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) holds a slim four-point lead over David Pouget (GPA Racing), but the latter will look to bounce back after his first retirement of the season at Hockenheim. The two will resume their duel under the watchful eyes of their pursuers, beginning with Marc Guillot (Milan Compétition) eager to get his first success of the year.

Close attention will also have to be paid to the Italian drivers who know Misano like the back of their racing gloves. Race-winner at Monza, Gabriele Torelli (Faro Racing) will be keen to confirm his status as a contender for the crown while Federico Scionti (Scuderia Costa Ovest) will hope to move up the general classification against rivals who have chosen to skip the round.

Fourth in the Clio Cup Europe, Kévin Jimenez (GPA Racing) will try to make the most of the absence of his closest rivals to extend his lead in the Challengers Cup. However, his task will be anything but easy as Lorenzo Nicoli (Progetto E20 Motorsport), Filippo Berto (Oregon Team) and Fabrizio Ongaretto (PMA Motorsport) will look to deprive him of maximum points in their second appearance of the season.

Meanwhile, "Horn" (GPA Racing) will try to capitalise on the absence of Laurent Dziadus to return to the top of the Gentlemen Drivers Cup classification but he will have to deal with his experienced Italian counterparts led by Alessandro Sebasti Scalera (Milan Compétition).

Group A, round two !

Group A leader heading to Misano, Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition) has a tenuous six-point lead over Gabriele Torelli, who has the advantage of knowing the circuit. Marc Guillot will also do his best to take the lead, but the locals will do everything they can to defend Italian pride.

In addition to Gabriele Torelli, Federico Scionti will also be among the favourites as will Lorenzo Nicoli, Filippo Berto and Fabrizio Ongaretto, who will be fighting for the top spot in the Challengers Cup. Also in this category, Alessio Alcidi (Caal Racing), Giuseppe Cirò (Progetto E20 Motorsport), Giacomo Jelmini (PMA Motorsport), Daniele Pasquali (Caal Racing) and Ercole Cipolla (Faro Racing) will all look to make up ground, but they will have to deal with the return of their rival Diego Cassarà (Faro Racing) to the Clio Cup.

In the Gentlemen Drivers Cup, Alessandro Sebasti Scalera will attempt to increase his lead over Quinto Stefana and "Due" (Oregon Team) but the level of difficulty will increase a notch with the arrivals of Gennaro Garofano (Garofano FG Motorsport) and Paolo Felisa (PMA Motorsport).

Lastly, Massimiliano Danetti (PMA Motorsport) and Paolo Maria Silvestrini (Progetto E20 Motorsport) will attempt to spring a surprise in the field completed by journalists Gianluca Mauriello, and Alberto Bergamaschi in the Press League organised by Renault Italia.

Contested on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 16h30, both races from Misano will be broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.

TIMETABLE

Friday 4 June
10h25-10h55 : Collective test 1
15h15-15h45 : Collective test 2

Saturday 5 June
8h40-9h00 : Qualifying 1
16h30-17h10 : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday 6 June
9h00-9h20 : Qualifying 2
16h30-17h10 : Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Entry list

2021 Clio Cup Europe calendar
2-5 April : Nogaro - Group B
30 April-2 May : Monza - Group A
7-9 May : Magny-Cours - Groups B & D
14-16 May : Hockenheim - Groups B & C
4-6 June : Misano - Group A
18-20 June : Le Castellet - Groups B & D
9-11 July : Hungaroring - Groups A & C
23-25 July : Imola - Group A
28-31 July : Spa-Francorchamps - Group C
10-12 September : Red Bull Ring - Groups A & C
17-19 September : Valencia - Group D
1-3 October : Le Castellet - Group B
29-31 October : Monza - Groups A & C
12-14 November : Barcelona - Groups B & D