With just 3 weeks remaining before the opening round of the 2011 IDM series, Damian Cudlin has secured a place in the alpha Technik- Van Zon- Kraftwerk BMW Team to race an S1000RR in the IDM Superbike series.
The reigning IDM Supersport Champion will step up to the premier category in 2011 whilst also riding for the official BMW Team in the Endurance World Championship.
Fresh from the 2010 season that saw Cudlin claim the IDM Supersport title, EWC pole positions and a sensational 7th place in the Moto2 Grand Prix in Sachsenring, the "Aussie battler" from Taree is thrilled with the opportunity to join one of the strongest teams in the IDM paddock for his maiden campaign for the SBK title.
Having failed to secure an acceptable deal to race in IDM earlier in the season, it seemed that Cudlin would be reduced to EWC and development duties for 2011, however a last minute offer from new team chief Werner Daemen, secured the services of the Australian, who will take Daemen's place as rider and now partner Swiss team mate Marc Wildesen in the alpha Technik- Van Zon- Kraftwerk BMW Team.
"Currently, the older riders in the IDM Superbike series like Karl Muggeridge, Jorg Teuchert and even Werner Daemen are faster than the younger guys in Superbike, but that will change in the future" said Josef Hofmann, head of alpha Technik racing. "So, the team will focus on the results and advancement of Damian Cudlin and Marc Wildesen."
While the lack of testing time will be against Cudlin in the opening round at Lausitzring in just 3 weeks time, Werner Daemen believes this won't be a big problem for a rider with Cudlin's development experience.
"Damian knows the BMW very well," assured Daemen "he's done a lot of work already in the EWC with BMW, plus I'll be there to help him with everything, particularly the technical components that we use in our team. I always said that I will end my career and focus on team management and my racing school when I find a rider who is as fast as me. We are confident that Damian has the power and the skills to step into the big shoes of a small man."
Cudlin is equally humbled by the chance to work with Werner, whom he partnered with at the Le Mans 24 hour in 2010.
"I'm honored to have received the chance to race for BMW and have such a strong team of people behind me. It's the team I wanted to ride for the most and I can't wait to get started. I owe a lot of people thanks- all the team sponsors, BMW, and of course my good friends at Bike Promotion, but without Werner's faith in me as a rider, it wouldn't have happened, and I definitely won't forget that. I hope to repay them all with great results in the 2011 season and make Werner proud as team chief."
The 2011 IDM Superbike series will begin on the 24th April at the Lausitzring, Germany.
