Australian Damian Cudlin is quickly making a name for himself in the IDM German Supersport Championship after another sensational podium at Oschersleben on the weekend.
Cudlin maximised his World Endurance experience of the twisty Motopark Arena to qualify 7th for the weekends races on his Dunlop shod SKM-Bike Promotion Yamaha, before heavy rain lashed the circuit.
Opting for ‘dry’ settings, Cudlin lost early ground on the leading group in the wet conditions of the opening race, but fought back as the track began to dry, crossing the line in 4th place.
“I didn’t feel comfortable at all in the beginning and I was sliding around a lot in the wet conditions” Cudlin explained. “But I knew it was going to dry out and as soon as it did I found my feet again and came home strong. I just wish the race had been 5 laps longer.”
Sunday’s second Supersport race produced a cracking show for the huge crowd, when an eight bike freight train fought it out for the win. Cudlin, who narrowly missed a turn 1 collision, joined the party on lap 5 and began to move his way through the pack. Fighting grip issues on the last 3 laps, Cudlin wrestled his R6 into podium contention with one lap to go. In a thoroughly entertaining last lap showdown with Russian Vladimir Ivanov and Frenchman Sebastian Diss, Cudlin made a stunning pass on the final corner to snatch the final podium place and finish in 3rd.
“That was hard work but a lot of fun.” Cudlin beamed at the finish. “I was stuck behind a couple of guys early on in the race and really worked my tyres getting past. Once I felt them sliding around underneath me I tried to save the right side for a final lap attack and it worked perfectly.”
“I’ve really got to thank Dunlop who have worked hard to get these tyres working so well, and also my team who really gave me a bike that was great to ride. I know it can sound like a broken record when riders thank the right people, but I wouldn’t be 2nd in the championship right now without their help.”
Cudlin now trails German Arne Tode by 30points in the title race but believes there are many more chances to claw back the difference during the season, although insisted that the pressure is heavier on the German.
“There’s a lot of racing left and we are only getting stronger as a team. Nobody thought we’d be 2nd and challenging for the title this year so I’m really treating every race as a bonus. If I’m still in the hunt with one round to go, then I’ll start thinking about the championship. Right now I just want to win some races.”
Cudlin will race at the Nurburgring for the first time in two weeks when the IDM series continues.
