From a press release issued by Damian Cudlin: Having just recently returned home to Australia, Taree’s Damian Cudlin is already eagerly awaiting his return to New Zealand where he hopes to turn his New Zealand Superbike Championship chase around. Currently 5th in the standings, Cudlin competed in the first 3 rounds of the series for the Bernard Racing Yamaha Squad aboard the potent Yamaha R1, but faced stiff competition as well as some bad luck whilst racing in the land of the long white cloud. The season opener in Ruapuna saw Cudlin qualify on the front row before battling to a 5th place finish in race 1. After making some adjustments to the machine, Cudlin was confident of a stronger showing in race 2, but an altercation with Stroud on the first lap saw Cudlin crashing through the gravel trap at over 200kph. Shaken but unhurt Cudlin returned to form at Levels Raceway for Round 2, where another front row start assured he was in the mix of it on race day. Cudlin didn’t disappoint the crowd on Sunday, joining a 5 bike freight train battling for the lead, whilst smashing the lap record in the process. Cudlin’s final laps however cost him a chance for the win as he finished 4th at the flag. Race 2 should have been more of the same but another first lap incident saw Cudlin punted off the track only to re-join the race dead last. A spirited ride saw him dramatically claw his way through the field to take a fine 5th place finish. Teretonga’s Round 3 saw the same 5 protagonist’s of Bugden, Stroud, Jones, Shirrifs and Cudlin all fighting for the top spot, however a determined Bugden continued his hold on the series claiming two more wins, leaving Cudlin with only a 5th and 4th place finishes on the score card. “It’s been a tough 3 weeks”¦.” Cudlin commented. “Tougher than I expected it would be. Learning the tracks while trying to find a set up that will allow me to ride the bike fast from beginning to end has been hard, but I’m enjoying the challenge all the same.” “The competition has been strong too with Bugden, Stroudy, Shirrifs and Jones all riding well, Bugden especially. But I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it could happen and we have been pretty close already, so I’ve just got to make it happen.” Cudlin said. “The Bernard Yamaha Team have been fantastic to me throughout and Rob and Denis from Ohlins have really been a help to me recently, so I know that side of things is covered. It’s really up to me to step up my game and come back stronger in the next four races, and show them what I came for.” Cudlin will return to New Zealand to face the Superbike field again at the next round on February 24th.