
24 year old Alex Cudlin has once again done the double at the most recent round of the 2010/2011 Qatar International Road Racing Championship. Riding for the QERT team, Alex proved he is a title contender by winning both races and keeping his perfect score intact. Qualifying proved to be more thrilling then expected when Alex Qualified on pole position by a mere .011 of a second over Moto 2 Grand Prix rider and local, Mashel Al Niami. This gap in the qualifying was the closest in the history of the Qatar Championship. "Qualifying went well. I managed to get pole position but only just. I had a problem with my tyre and I wasn't able to get the most out of my lap, allowing Mashel to get pretty close” claimed Alex Conditions were rather surprising for Alex as both the night races were conducted in very cold temperatures, a very unusual experience in the Middle East. Tyre settings and suspension settings were crucial to finish both 15 lap races in front of the field. In Race 1 Alex got off to a good start and began a fierce battle with Al Niami until lap 6, when Alex managed to gap Al Niami and pull away, lapping consistently fast to claim the win by 3.5 seconds. "I'm happy to have won the first race but we need to improve some more. The tyre was finished by lap 10 because of the cold conditions, so we need to experiment a little for the next race and see if I can get another win" Alex said after his first win.
Race 2 started much the same as race one, with Alex getting off to a good start and yet another battle began with Al Niami and BMW rider Nasser Al Maiki. Alex then gained the lead on lap 3 and was never passed again. Alex lapped a consistently fast race and claimed the win by an astonishing 15 seconds over Al Niami and Al Maiki. "The 2nd race was much better. We made a change to the suspension and on the warm up lap it didn't feel too good. I wasn't sure if the change we made would work. I spoke to my mechanic on the grid and told him the situation and he made another change with tyre pressure in a hope it would work. I began the race a little cautious and was 3rd on the first lap, but once I got a feel for the changes, I made my move to the front of the field and then set about doing a consistent 15 laps. It's fantastic to win both races here and claim Pole position again. From 4 races I have had 4 wins, so I can't ask for much more. My perfect score remains" quipped Cudlin with a smile. 2010 Has been a breakthrough year for Alex, winning the Superstock Endurance World Cup and currently leading the Qatar Championship. Signing with QERT team for the 2010 season proved to be a good move for Cudlin. " I have to really thank my team and QMMF. This year has been a great year in my racing career needed and a big part of that is due the team, from the team staff and management, to my team mates, who were all really brilliant this year. In total I raced 20 races this year and claimed 17 podium finishes. 10 wins and 7 second placings proves just how good my year was. I managed to fulfill two dreams of mine - winning the World Cup and the other to race in a Grand Prix. Both of these came about because of the fantastic team of people I have around me. I'm currently leading the Qatar Championship with 5 rounds remaining, so I am really happy right now. I just hope the 2011 season can be as successful as 2010 was" said an emotional Cudlin. Alex now goes into the off season for a much needed rest, before he begins his 2011 racing season on the 22st of January 2011.  |