Thed Björk back in the title hunt after “record” start in Germany

Volvo driver Thed Björk took his second win of the season, tying with Honda’s Tiago Monteiro on the number of victories this year in the Nürburgring opening race, and is now third in the standings after his best start of his career.

Björk launched from sixth to third at the start of the race in the Volvo S60 TC1, before picking off Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Mehdi Bennani and then Polestar Volvo team-mate Néstor Girolami at Döttinger Höhe to take the lead and then the win.

“Even though it was the opening race, it was a really nice win,” said Björk to TouringCarTimes.

“I think that might have been the best record for us for starting, time-wise. I got good momentum, and had the speed. I had a good start in the second race as well. I saw going up into the first corner Nicky (Catsburg) and (Rob) Huff touched, so I went alongside Huff and I almost thought I had him, but he did a good job in the corners.

“Even though he had a hit with Nicky, he was very professional and didn’t try and push me off around the track and I did the same, so I have much respect for that.”

Björk’s win, followed up with a fourth-place finish in the main race, moves him up to third in the drivers’ standings, just six points behind former points leader Tiago Monteiro and eight behind team-mate Nicky Catsburg after four of ten weekends.