EU 2000: Imola race one summary

First win for Kochem

Number one on the grid, and number one at the chequered flag. A perfect race from poleman Kochem on Saturday morning, the young German taking the race win ahead of Speed, who moves one step closer to the title.

In third came Fleming, continuing his amazing end of season form.

No major upsets on the track, but the best is yet to come. Race one at Imola confirmed the domination of the German teams, with Motopark Oschersleben and Jenzer Motorsport continuing to take the top positions as they have over the past several weeks.

Pascal Kochem (Jenzer Motorsport), still in with a shot of ending the championship on the podium, rocketed off from his pole position and never looked back, leading the pack from start to finish. Behind him the drivers battled among themselves, the race order nevertheless hardly changing. Speed (Motopark Oschersleben), the European title now within his reach, had to work hard to hold off the constant barrage from Fleming. The two men nearly ended their race early as they exited wide, but managed to hold it together.

Further back Meijer (AR Motorsport) and Kofler (JD Motorsport) were locked in battle. And Kofler - also vying for a place on the championship podium - was the only driver to overtake this morning, popping out from under Pagenaud's (Graff Racing) rear wing at just the right time to move past the Frenchman, currently second in the race for the title.

At the finish line Kochem punched the air, the German now moving ahead of Kofler in the overall standings to third. Ahead of him and with a comfortable cushion is still Pagenaud, with Speed way out in the lead. The title is not his yet, but the American now only needs four points to lift the trophy.

In race 2 on Saturday afternoon, Scott may well be speeding his way to victory in the 2005 Eurocup.

<pre> Race 1 Results 1) Kochem Jenzer Motorsport 26'00''436 : 158.78 kph 2) Speed Motopark Oschersleben 01''074 3) Fleming Jenzer Motorsport 03''536 4) Meijer AR Motorsport 04''218 5) Kofler JD Motorsport 09''902 6) Pagenaud Graff Racing 11''692 7) Ammermuller Jenzer Motorsport 16''299.....

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