Tiago Monteiro (SEAT Leon) made up for Portugal’s exit from the Soccer World Cup by winning race one of the Portuguese round 9 of the World Touring Car Championship at Portimao at the weekend.  Team-mate and reigning world champion Gabriele Tarquini of Italy won round 10 to make it a great outing for SEAT.

Encouraged by the partisan Portuguese fans, Monteiro ended the domination of former champions Tarquini, Yvan Muller (Chevrolet Cruze) and Andy Priaulx (BMW), who between them had won all the races so far this season.  It was his first win after last standing on top of the podium in Estoril two years ago and he did it in style, resisting strong challenges from Muller and Tarquini.

Augusto Farfus (BMW) was fourth ahead of Alain Menu (Chevrolet) and Tom Coronel (SEAT).

The veteran Tarquini was dominant in the second race, comfortably taking his fourth win of the season ahead of the Chevrolets of Muller and Rob Huff.  Muller and Huff prevailed in an exciting battle with multiple former champion Priaulx, Farfus, Coronel (SEAT) and Menu.

With two second places in Portimao, Muller retains his lead in the championship with 164 points.  Tarquini is second with 149, ahead of Priaulx (117), Huff (104), Monteiro (99) and Menu (86).

The WTCC moves on to Brands Hatch in England for rounds 11 and 12 on July 18.