With a solid 6^th place in the final round of the World Endurance Championship, Taree’s Damian Cudlin has secured the best result of his career to finish 3^rd in the 2006 World Championship standings.

The final event of the season, the Bol’Dor 24 hour in France, proved to be the toughest race of the year for Cudlin and the Phase One Yamaha team, but a gritty performance from 22^nd position on the grid saw the young aussie climb to 6^th by race end, assuring the number 3 plate.

“What a race, and what a season” Cudlin said afterwards.

“We struggled so badly with bike set up here in France and the lack of dry time really put us on the back foot with our tyre selections. We didn’t test here like everyone else and it showed. We were off the pace all weekend, wet or dry, but we all knew that this race would be a battle of survival and that’s how we approached the race.”

“I feel like I’ve said this after each race this year, but this 24hour was the hardest race I’ve ever done. I was completely drained physically and mentally by race end, but to finish 3^rd in the World Championship makes it all worth while. I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody in my Phase One Yamaha team, my team mates Warwick and Christer and all the people who’ve been a part of my career so far. I couldn’t have achieved this without their support.”

With the 2006 WEC season drawn to a close, Cudlin will return to Taree Australia, later this week for a few months at home before starting all over again for 2007.

“I’m already looking forward to next season, and I’m excited with the prospects of 2007. I really want to take it to another level next year and hope that I can gain the support I need to win the championship. That’s the only thing on my mind now, I want to win races.”

Cudlin at a Pit Stop in the early hours of the morning