Taree’s Alex Cudlin has begun his 2011 racing campaign with two solid results at the most recent round of the Qatar International Road Racing Championships. 

Cudlin, currently the series leader and 4 times race winner, went into the round hoping to continue his from 2010, where he scored a perfect 4 race wins from 4 starts.

Alex started the weekend in top shape by claiming pole position in a comfortable margin over Moto 2 rider Mashel Al Niami. Alex has so far been unstoppable in the qualifying stages of the Qatar races, claiming pole position in every round of the 2010/2011 Qatar International, and has had a perfect score outcome in each race of the new season. There was to be a slight variation in this last weekend of racing.  

Alex got off to a good start and quickly began to fight with local rider, Mashel Al Niami,  in the first few corners. Alex led the race from corner 3, with Niami breathing down his neck the whole time. Unfortunately for Alex, Niami came past under brakes into Corner 16 on the 1st lap, pushing Alex wide onto the slippery part of the corner, causing Alex to crash heavily.

Alex was able to get back on his now bent bike, and continue in the race, returning to the track in last position.

Alex then made a gutsy effort, running off very fast and consistent laps and climbed his way back up through the field, eventually finishing the race in a remarkable 3rd position.  

“The race obviously didn’t go to plan. At the beginning of the race I was in a good battle with my team mate Mashel, but on the first lap we came very close on the final corner and it caused me to move off line and crash pretty heavily. The crash was a big high side, so when I hit the ground I landed hard. I thought the race was over for me at that point, but I got up and hobbled back to the bike. It was bent but still rideable, so I picked it up and got back on the track. I was thinking of the Championship and thought any points would be good. I was in pain and cramping on the bike but was able to put some fast laps together all the way to the chequered flag. I didn’t read my pit board for most of the race as I was concentrating on just getting to the finish. When I crossed the line I was in 3rd position. I didn’t expect that and it was good for my championship lead” said an upbeat Cudlin after race 1  

Race 2 just 1 hour later was going to be a show down. Alex wanted to get his winning form back but was still sore from the earlier crash. Alex got off to a very fast start and was leading at the end of lap one, however that would change throughout the next 5 laps with Niami and Cudlin trading blows every few turns. Even though Niami and Cudlin are teammates and more importantly great friends, they were battling each other once the lights turned green.

Cudlin managed to jumped into the lead on lap 6 and from there put together a succession of fast laps that eventually were too strong for Niami. After 15 laps Cudlin crossed the line as the winner of the race, something he was extremely happy about.

 “I’m really happy after race 2. Obviously I was really disappointed with race one but I showed I could fight all the way to the end and made some good points. In race 2 I wanted to prove I could still win. It was really close and I nearly didn’t make it out for the 2nd race but my mechanics were working franticly to get the bike repaired and I only exited pit lane with 6 seconds to spare before I would have had to start the race from pit lane, so a big thanks go to them for getting it ready for me in time.  On the sighting lap, I knew the bike was good but I was still a bit sore and stiff. Once the race started though, I forgot about the dramas of race one and had a really great race with Mashel. I really like racing him because he always puts up a strong challenge. I know he will always try and come past so I can’t relax. A few times in that race we touched our bikes in the corners but it was clean racing and I’m happy with the outcome. It’s great for the team to continue this 1-2 finish. It’s a shame I won’t have a perfect score in the series, but 5 wins and one 3rd is a pretty good run. There are 4 rounds remaining, so I hope to keep this winning run going.” said an enthusiastic Cudlin. 

The first race of 2011 also marked a new opportunity for Cudlin, riding for the first time with his new sponsor OGK Kabuto Helmets, testing the helmet for the first time under racing circumstances. 

“I’m really happy to wear OGK Kabuto in 2011 and this was the first time I have worn one. It was really comfortable and I was extremely happy to get a double podium in my first races with them. They are a fantastic company and it was nice to reward them with this result”. 

Alex will now stay in Australia to continue his training activities before he goes back to Qatar for more racing in mid February.