FIXI Crescent Suzuki has secured the services of Australian racer Damian Cudlin for this weekend’s eni FIM Superbike World Championship race at Assen in The Netherlands if Leon Camier is unfit to ride.
Cudlin will head to Assen hot-on-the-heels of a double race win and lap-record performance at last weekend’s highly competitive IDM (Internationale Deutsche Motorradmeisterschaft) Superbike Championship at Lausitzring in Germany for his Dutch based RAC Racing Team. He was due to be racing in a support class race at this weekend’s Assen WSBK event, but will now be on hand to substitute for Camier if the Englishman fails to sufficiently recover from the injury he sustained at Aragon less than two-weeks ago.
The 30-year-old Australian comes with a wealth of experience gained at top level motorcycle racing, that has seen Cudlin race in MotoGP, Moto, World Endurance, AMA Supersport and the Australian Superbike Championship, where he rode for Team Suzuki. He has been kindly allowed to join FIXI Crescent Suzuki for the forthcoming weekend by the RAC Racing Team. RAC (Riders against Cancer) supports children with cancer through its racing activities via the Happy Smile Foundation and more details can be found at www.stichtinghappysmile.com.
A decision on Camier’s participation in this weekend’s event will be made at Assen later this week; he is recovering well and working very hard following the knee surgery he underwent in Spain, and has a more than 50% chance of being fit for the races. If he is unable to take part, then Cudlin will occupy the seat on the Yoshimura-powered Suzuki GSX-R to ensure Jules Cluzel has a team-mate to support him on the FIXI Crescent Suzuki.
Damian Cudlin
“I’m really pleased to have been given this opportunity to step into the FIXI Crescent Suzuki team if I’m needed. I’ve competed in a lot of championships including MotoGP, Moto2, AMA and of course Aussie Superbikes, but I’ve never had the chance to ride for a top-class WSB team. I’m really thrilled to have been asked by Paul and thankful to Geert Prins and the RAC team for giving me the chance to ride for FIXI Crescent Suzuki if the situation arises. Obviously it’s the best for the team if Leon is fit, but if he is not then I will be very happy to step in. If I do get the chance I can’t wait to take it and I’ll hopefully do a good job and perform at my best for the team.”
UPDATE
Leon Camier has declared he will be heading out in Free Practice 1 in an attempt to compete at this weekends Assen WSBK round.
He Tweeted a picture of his injured knee earlier and it looks to be in a terrible state.
Damian Cudlin took to Twitter also, saying “So many people have tweeted me good luck for this weekend and I really appreciate it. Not sure if I’ll get to ride or not but thanks anyway!”, and then joking later that “I must point out that I do NOT condone anyone kicking, whacking, or tackling @leoncamier‘s knee (left) between now and FP1… Haha ;)”.
Cudlin remains on standby should Camier not be able to compete.
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