Well, I'm in England at the moment and thought I'd better sit down and report on what's been happening with me lately.

After the last round of the World Endurance in Germany, I flew home to Oz and had been busy workin at the bike shop to try and keep my bills under control and food in the fridge.

After a few weeks at home without riding, I was getting pretty keen to head back to Europe and finish with a strong result in Italy.

My brother Alex decided to come over with me for this final trip to have a bit of a look at things for himself. He broke his collarbone pretty bad at Winton ASC's so was out for a while anyway, plus it made for a pretty fun trip with us both going.

We got into Singapore at some early hour in the morning and had to wait about 4 hours till our next plane went to London, so having noticed a "Relaxation Massage" sign, me and Al decided to give it crack while we were waiting. After looking at the menu, we decided to go for the foot rub as we thought that'd be safer than someone jumping around on our backs. We were led to 2 seperate rooms next to each other. Al got a little female massuse, which he was pleased with, but I was forwarded to Singapores version of Hulk Hogan.... not a good sign. He told me to lay on my stomach, then went to work on my back. I knew that he must have thought we wanted a back massage but as it felt pretty good, I waited for about 10 mins. Just before he went to do a handstand on my back I explained that I wanted my feet done, not my back. Alex overheard me telling Hogan this, and informed his massuse of the same thing. So we sat back, lighlty enhaling the insense, began to feel at one with the universe, when suddenly I felt what can only be explained as the most severe foot pain I've ever experienced. When I limped out the room, Alex noticed I was sweating. Apparently his one was real good. Hot tip, when taking a massage in Singapore find the littlest person working there.

Arrived London at 5am then caught a bus for 4 hours to my mate Andi Notman's house in Nottingham. Stayed there for a couple of days, then jetted out to Italy.

Italy was pretty cool, as this time we got in a day early and met up with the other riders from our team. We took the time to thrash a rent a car around Rome and see the Collasium, Trevi Fountain, sample some real Italian food (Burger King) and get adjusted to the Italian road rules...... which don't exist.

Made it to the Hotel alive.... barely (Shell Endurance rider Ben Wylie's driving abilities leave room for improvement) and had an early one before practice.

As you guys may or may not know, the race weekend went great and me and Warwick stuck it on the box in 2nd place for my first WEC podium. It sure was a great feeling to be finally standing on the podium, and to be a front runner again after having such a troubled time last year. We also moved from 6th to 4th in the final championship standings.

That sunday evening is a little blury, as we partied on pretty hard into the night. I do seem to remember being in an ice creamery where they sold alchohol, drinking sambucca, and telling everyone in my team how much I loved them.

Monday mornin, returned one Vauxhal Zafira rent a van in immaculate condition..... then flew back to Nottingham UK.

Flight home being quite amusing when my trophy (for finishing 2nd in Italy) was issued with it's own seat as it was to big for the overhead lockers. We affectionately named her "Sophie the trophy".

So that basically brings us to the current date. Back in uk at the moment, and will spend now until Thursday at Ben Wylie's house before heading to the final round of the BSB series at Brands on the weekend before heading home for the MotoGP at Phillip Island where I'll be attending.

Will report on the next couple of races after they happen.

All the best,
Damian Cudlin.