Alex Cudlin has just returned to the UK after completing his first test in Spain with his new team, Phase One Yamaha. Testing at the Spanish circuit of Albacete, Cudlin got a taste of the new 2009 “Big Bang” Yamaha R1, and after riding with a different team for the past 3 years, it was very valuable for Cudlin to learn the ropes with his new Phase One crew. “For me it was very important to have this test with Phase One. For the past 3 years I have been on a different bike with a different team, and have been riding on a different brand of tyres. It was great to start afresh with this team – they have the right combination of bike, tyres, riders, mechanics and back up. It feels like a brand new chapter in my career,” said Cudlin. More, from a press release issued by Damian Cudlin’s publicist: Damian Cudlin put the 2009 Phase One Yamaha through it’s paces at Albacete this week, in pre season testing for the 2009 World Endurance Championship. Riding the team’s new “Big Bang” Yamaha R1, Cudlin sent a strong message to his WEC rivals, circulating under the WEC lap record set by Kawasaki France in 2007, on just his second day on the new machine. “I was really excited to ride this new R1, and after finally getting a go of it, the boys couldn’t wipe the smile off my face!” Cudlin beamed. “It’s vastly different from last years bike, but it’s the best Superbike I’ve ever ridden and it’s going to make a great Endurance machine. I can’t wait to go racing on this thing. It’s awesome.” Cudlin tested a large variety of Dunlop’s new race tyres during the test. Clearly satisfied with the new material, Cudlin believes the Dunlop/R1 combination could be the one to beat in 2009. “We tested a lot of tyres for Dunlop and I was really pleased with the ones we chose for Le Mans.” Cudlin explained. “We just wanted data on race tyres- I didn’t even bother with a qualifier. These tyres work well with this bike and I’m confident this combination is going to be tough to beat this year.” Cudlin attended the test with new team mates Pedro Valcaneras and younger brother Alex Cudlin. “For me it was very important to have this test with Phase One. For the past 3 years I have been on a different bike with a different team, and have been riding on a different brand of tyres. It was great to start afresh with this team. They have the right combination of bike, tyres, riders, mechanics and back up. It feels like a brand new chapter in my career” smiled Alex. The Phase One Team plan to develop the machine even further, before the season opener at Le Mans in April.