Roberto Colciago of the M1RA team has put in another great performance to become the first two-time winner of the 2017 TCR International Series season at Monza on Saturday, albeit fighting an aching back, that almost led to the Italian not racing at all.
“This morning, I didn’t know if I could race because my back was aching so badly, but luckily I had no pain once I was in the car,” said the now three-time TCR race winner.
Yet the 49-year old took the green flag and got away to a great start, zooming past pole-setter Frédéric Vervisch even before the braking zone of turn one. A move that turned Colciago from hunting down Vervisch to being the hunted himself – now having to defend his position without the aid of another car’s slipstream.
“I couldn’t get away from the others because the tow is so important here in Monza and so I just concentrated on not making any mistakes. Attila [Tassi] pressured me from the start, so it’s good for the team that he has the same pace as me.”
The Italian’s home race stands in stark contrast to last weekend’s double-header at Spa Franchorchamps, where the Honda driver could not score a single point due to success ballast regulations.
“When I was in Spa, it looked like I was racing with the ambulance because of the Success Ballast, so I’m really happy to win at my home track.”