Suzuki confirm Damian Cudlin signing

Australian road racer Damian Cudlin has just snared the country's most sought-after ride in motorcycle racing.

Returning home after two years racing in Europe, Cudlin has been signed by Team Suzuki to defend its Australian Superbike Championship title in the season 2004, partnering three-time champion Shawn Giles.

"Suzuki is both excited and delighted to have a rider of Damian's calibre join our team for the 2004 season," Team Suzuki manager Phil Tainton said.

"Damian is an extremely talented young rider and I think the experience he's gained overseas on a variety of racebikes and tracks during the past couple of seasons will help him learn very quickly here next year.

"Shawn (Giles) will again be the cornerstone of our racing program; he's got tremendous experience, not only internationally, but at the local level as well, more than anyone else in the business, and remains the benchmark in the sport here.

"We're hopeful of getting Damian out for his first run on our Suzuki GSX-R1000s before Christmas."

Back in season 2001, Cudlin contested the Australian Superbike Championship and, despite a mid-year season-ending injury, still finished fifth overall in the series, making a big impression on the racing fraternity.

"I've had my eye on Damian since then, but after he recovered from his injury he headed overseas and the opportunity to work with him seemed lost," Phil Tainton said.

"Now we have the chance to work together I'm very pleased; he's got youth and talent on his side and I think Team Suzuki can really help him go places."

Having contested the German Supersport Championship and selected World Endurance Series events, the talented 21 year-old from Taree in New South Wales is pleased to be returning to race in Australia.

"I'm really excited to be joining Team Suzuki… I want to do the best I can for Suzuki this year and help them record a fifth consecutive championship title," Damian Cudlin said.

"For me personally, the best part of the experience will be working with local legends like Phil (Tainton) and Shawn (Giles); it's going to be a great opportunity for me to really develop as a rider."

Since joining Team Suzuki in 1999, Shawn Giles has established a long and successful partnership with the Phil Tainton operation, taking Australian Superbike Championship victories in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and claiming second place behind team-mate Craig Coxhell in 2003.

The combination of Giles and Cudlin, with the legendary Phil Tainton team, creates a formidable package for the 2004 Australian Superbike Series, as does its latest Suzuki GSX-R1000 race machine.

Impressive on debut in 2003, the all-new GSX-R1000 only came on-line for the last three rounds of this year's Australian Superbike Series and was immediately competitive; able to win races and ultimately clinch the championship despite having very little development.

With continued development from Tainton, the mighty GSX-R1000 and Team Suzuki are set to dominate again in 2004 when the Australian Superbike Championship begins on 12 - 14 March at Eastern Creek Raceway (NSW).

2004 Australian Superbike Championship:

Rd 1 - 12 -14 March Eastern Creek (NSW)
Rd 2 - 16 - 18 April Wakefield Park (NSW)
Rd 3 - 14 - 16 May Winton (VIC)
Rd 4 - 25 - 27 June Barbagallo (WA)
Rd 5 - 2 - 4 July Mallala (SA)
Rd 6 - 13 - 15 August Queensland Raceway (QLD)
Rd 7 - 10 - 12 September Phillip Island (VIC)

Damian in action late this year when guest riding a European Superstock Ducati at Magny Cours