From a press release issued by Damian Cudlin’s publicist: CUDLIN PODIUMS ON STREET RACE DEBUT Taree’s Damian Cudlin has secured a remarkable podium finish on his ‘Street Race’ debut at Paeroa in New Zealand on the weekend. The young Aussie riding for the Bernard Motorsports Yamaha Team took a spirited 3rd place in both the Formula Paeroa as well as the big event, the ‘Battle of the Streets’ race. Despite having never seen the circuit before, Cudlin secured a front row start before lining up for his first race on the streets. “I was pretty nervous before the first race, just trying to get my head around what I was about to do. I had just been scrapping my knee at around 280ks directly in front of shop windows”¦ It was pretty daunting. So I decided to start off safely and build up my speed as the race went on.” Cudlin explained. Cudlin quickly moved to 5th and then 4th before a red flag caused the race to be stopped when a rider went down at the esses. In the restart, showing more speed as his confidence continued to grow, Cudlin made a pass on Fitzgerald to move to 3rd which he held to the flag. “Finishing 3rd in my first street race felt good but like any racer I began focusing on getting away with the leaders for the Battle of the Streets” said Cudlin. With the fastest 30 riders from all classes eligible to race in the ‘Battle of the Streets’ all eyes were on Jones, Shirrifs and Cudlin as they blasted away from the Yamalube Start Line three abreast. Cudlin held on to Shirrifs and Jones and stalked the pair for the next 4 laps before deciding to play it safe and take home another podium finish. “I was able to get a good start and hang with the leaders for the first half of the race but the pace was hotting up and the boys were risking a lot, more than I was willing to risk, so I calmed it down and brought it home. That was the difference. I’ve got to take my hat off to both Craig and Gareth for riding that hard on a circuit like this.” Cudlin will now spend the week at the Teams base in Wanganui were they will prepare for the next round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship. “I’m really looking forward to getting to Manfield and carrying this momentum with me. I’m aiming for a big finish in the series, so here’s hoping it’ll all come together for us.” Round 4 of the New Zealand Superbike Championship will be held at Manfield on 23/24th Feb.