Michel Nykjaer recorded his third win of the World Touring Car Championship season in the second race of the day at Moscow Raceway.
Mehdi Bennani took off at the start from the reverse grid pole position to open up a good lead early on, but he was reeled in by Nykjaer. The Danish driver moved ahead into the final turn, only to be forced wide after contact from Bennani. A few laps later Nykjaer managed to get past with a great overtaking move.
Behind, a five-wide battle for third place down the pit straight ended in tears when Tom Coronel pinched Gabriele Tarquini under braking for turn one and sent James Thompson into the barriers.
Rob Huff and Yvan Muller sneaked through on the inside and went after Bennani, and Muller worked his way past both of them to take second. The Frenchman chased down Nykjaer in the final laps, but was unable to get past.
Huff made a move on Bennani for third at the final turn and the Moroccan spun trying to hold onto the position, dropping him down the order. Pepe Oriola lost places on the first lap when he was hit by Tarquini but came back to claim fourth ahead of Norbert Michelisz. Tom Chilton passed Tarquini for sixth, while Stefano D’Aste, Darryl O’Young and James Nash completed the top ten.
