Jensen, van Berlo Dominate First Road to Le Mans Race

Photo: Olivier Beroud Images

Eurointernational drivers Mikkel Jensen and Kay van Berlo led from lights to flag in the opening Road to Le Mans race on Thursday afternoon.

Jensen started the 55-minute race from pole in the No. 11 Ligier JS P3 Nissan and increased his lead throughout the opening stint before handing the car over to van Berlo at the midway point.

Sean Rayhall finished second in the No. 33 United Autosports car he shares with John Falb after making up several positions in the final 15 minutes.

Rayhall repeatedly lapped a few seconds quicker than van Berlo in the last ten minutes but was unable to close the gap sufficiently to the Dutch driver.

Michelin Le Mans Cup points leaders Leonard Hoogenboom and Jens Petersen had the best-placed Norma M30 Nissan with a third-place finish and fastest lap in the No. 3 DKR Engineering car, meanwhile.

The race was relatively clean with no major incidents although several cars did go off track, bringing out slow zones at various points.

James Littlejohn and Matt Bell started from third and fourth respectively but both dropped back early on with Littlejohn picking up a puncture and Bell unable to start the race and later joining four laps in. 

Marco Cioci and Piergiuseppe Perazzini claimed the GT3 class win, also from pole position, in the No. 71 AF Corse-run Ferrari 488 GT3.

The finished 20th overall while second position in class went to the No. 8 Kessel Racing car of Giacomo Piccini and Sergio Pianezzola who crossed the line 24th on track.

RESULTS: Race 1

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.