Robert Huff, who finished third, was disqualified after the race by stewards because the front anti-roll bar link on his Chevrolet Lacetti was deemed to have contravened the rules.

The Briton's exclusion promoted Augusto Farfus to third and reigning world champion Andy Priaulx to eighth, allowing him to retain fourth position in the drivers championship behind the SEAT trio of Tarquini, Yvan Muller and Rickard Rydell - with a 15-point gap from the Italian.

Muller held on to his lead at the start from Tarquini in second and James Thompson in third.

Huff had a good start to move up from ninth to fifth, as did BMW Italy-Spain's Félix Porteiro who ended the first lap in fourth.

Tarquini overtook Muller early in the race as he appeared to struggle for pace, then built a healthy lead.

There was a fierce fight behind as Zanardi, Jörg Müller and Huff clashed on the track, the latter losing his rear bumper which allowed Alain Menu to take advantage and slip through.

Zanardi moved up to fifth and Müller slipped down the field, eventually finishing eighth.

There were further notable overtaking moves by Menu on Muller, Zanardi on Thompson and Farfus overtaking Rydell and Porteiro on his way to fourth position.

Zanardi chased down Tarquini, diving up the inside on the final lap, but had to settle for second position.

Huff overtook Yvan Muller for the final podium place but had to fend off Farfus in the final corners.

Porteiro recovered from several clashes to fifth position, having overtaken Muller on the final lap.

Menu lost his third position when he ran wide at a corner and slipped down to seventh. Müller srambled back up to eighth followed by Priaulx.

Thompson ended up in 10th, having begun the race beside the pole-sitter. He lacked the pace of the other cars and after being passed by several drivers, he clashed with Porteiro and lost ground.

Race two results:

1. Gabriele Tarquini (ITA) SEAT 22mins 04.109secs

2. Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) BMW 22:04.469

3. Augusto Farfus (BRA) BMW 22:09.827

4. Felix Porteiro (SPA) BMW 22:12.301

5. Yvan Muller (FRA) SEAT 22:16.040

6. Alain Menu (SWI) Chevrolet 22:16.252

7. Jorg Muller (GER) BMW 22:17.895

8. Andy Priaulx (GBR) BMW 22:18.929

9. James Thompson (GBR) Honda 22:21.267

10. Tiago Monteiro (POR) SEAT 22:21.525