Cudlin, aboard the Phase One Yamaha alongside team mate Warwick Nowland qualified 5th on the grid for season opener, but a trouble free race with clean pit stops proved to favour the Aussies as the pair rode to 3rd place by the finish.
“This is just the start we needed.” Cudlin said.
“I’ve got to thank Warwick and the Phase One team for their hard work this weekend. It wasn’t easy for me here and I did struggle with the set up of the bike over the few days, but we pulled through and got the job done. I’m real happy.”
Reigning champs Phillipe and Kitagawa aboard the Suzuki took the race win ahead of the number 7 Yamaha Austria machine of Jerman and Scarnato.
“Obviously we didn’t win the race so there are things we need to work on, but this championship is going to be a long one and to come away from the opener standing on the box with good points on the board is a real boost.” Cudlin said.
The World Endurance Championship now moves to France for the world famous LeMans 24hour race which is billed as the toughest race of the season on both man and machine.
“LeMans is going to be tough, no doubt. It’s a physically demanding circuit where temperatures in the middle of the night can drop to near freezing. Not to mention all the smoke in the air from the fires in the spectators area. It’s not good for your throat!” Cudlin joked.
“But we are in a good position now and I’m ready for it.”
The LeMans festival kicks off this week 20th April with the race running over 22/23rd.
