– Alex Cudlin checks in
A busy couple of rounds for reigning Qatar International Road Race Champion Alex Cudlin has seen the Taree rider move 33 points clear in the championship after four rounds.
The recently-married 26-year-old went into round three of the championship over 22-23 March at the Losail circuit feeling confident and ready for more wins, however he would not have it all is own way with the weather proving the surprise package.
Pole position man Cudlin engaged in a thrilling opening eight laps with former Moto2 rider Mashel Al Naimi (Honda), before pulling clear to take an easy 26sec victory. But in an area where rain is as rare as a lotto win, QMMF Suzuki man Cudlin and the QIRRC pack completed race one on slick tyres after rain began to fall in the desert during the race.
Race two would see a further downpour, and with the race run under floodlights and the resultant glare from the lights and rain reflecting into the rider’s visors, the organisers decided to cancel the race on safety grounds.
Round four of the championship on 4-5 April, held as the support race for the opening round of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship at the Losail track would see no such weather dramas for the Aussie, as he again took pole position over Al Naimi. But it was far from plain sailing, with Cudlin coming under an acute bout of food poisoning prior to the start of race one.
This didn’t stop the 2010 World Endurance Cup Champion from taking a commanding victory in race one, although a mystery engine graemlin developed throughout the race which the team was unable to diagnose before the start of race two.
As such, Cudlin’s top speed on the kilometer-long front straight was just 285km/h, compared to 305km/h of his arch-rivals.
Alex again led the pack for race two but a tough fight with Al Niami at the end resulted in a photo-finish with Cudlin finishing 2nd.
Cudlin was happy to come away with such a commanding points lead despite losing out in race two, and was even happier to have competed at all due to his food poisoning ailment.
Alex Cudlin: “That meeting was one of the toughest I’ve ever had. I couldn’t believe how sick I was during the night before the start, so I was ecstatic to get the race one win.
“But by race two, I could hardly get on the bike. I just wanted to lie down and go to sleep! I know I should be happy with the 1-2 results – and I am considering the circumstances – but I hate losing, especially by such a small margin. But that’s racing and sometimes you get beat, no matter how hard you try.
“The main thing is I have a 33-point lead in the series now, but I’ll not be taking it easy for the remaining rounds. I know my fitness is at the best level it has ever been, and I’ll be getting lots of seat time coming up in the Endurance World Championship, so I’ll be coming back here to show them who’s boss next time!” Cudlin said.
QATAR INTERNATIONAL ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER FOUR ROUNDS
1 A Cudlin Suz 149
2 M Al Naimi Hon 116
3 N Prinz Suz 96
4 S Alsulaiti BMW 82
5 N Almalki BMW 65-