Australia’s Damian Cudlin has dropped a bombshell in the World Endurance paddock today with the announcement he’ll compete for Team Kawasaki France in the Bol’Dor 24 hour next week. Cudlin will ride the No 111 machine alongside Frenchmen Erwan Nigon and Hugo Marchand, who will directly compete against Cudlin’s regular Yamaha Austria Racing Team for Bol’Dor honours. The young Aussie has been in good form since Spain this season, and has clawed his way to 3rd in the World Endurance Championship standings alongside regular team mates Igor Jerman and Sebastian Scarnato. For Suzuka and Oschersleben, Cudlin enjoyed the company of WSBK veteran Steve Martin in the YART squad, achieving a 3rd place finish at the last round of the World Endurance Championship. Martin who filled in for the injured Scarnato was confirmed as Cudlin and Jerman’s team mate for the Bol’Dor race, but a fast recovering Scarnato suddenly presented YART Manager Mandy Kainz with a tough problem. 4 riders with only 3 places, 1 as reserve. Cudlin chose to be reserve for the event due to “Political and Diplomatic reasons” which allowed Scarnato to race in his home event alongside Jerman and Martin. However an opportunity arose for Cudlin shortly after, with an offer to ride one of only 4 Official Factory Bikes in the race, the Team Kawasaki France ZX10R. It was an offer too good to refuse. “It’s only been because of some strange circumstances that this has all come about, but I’m glad I’ve been given this opportunity.” Cudlin said. “Obviously I was planning on racing for YART in the first place, but after a change of plans I was looking at being on the bench. Mandy knows how important it is for me to race, so he fully understood my position when I called him about the TKF ride. I want to personally thank him for letting me do this with Kawasaki, and I want to make it clear I intend to do my best for YART in the final round of the World Endurance Championship in Qatar.” Cudlin’s last appearance on a Kawasaki was on a 600 in 2003, however he believes he stands every chance of success aboard the Green Machine in France. “I’m really looking forward to throwing my leg over the ZX10R and working with the TKF squad.” Cudlin smiled. “They’ve been a real force in this years World Endurance Championship and are currently one place ahead of us in the series, so I know too well they’ve got what it takes to get the results. It’ll be up to me to see if I can get comfy on the bike fast enough to challenge the leaders at the Bol’Dor. I’m looking forward to the challenge.” The Bol’Dor 24hour will take place on the 15-16th September.