Moto2 QMMF racing team has decided to axe Damian Cudlin just five days before the start of the 2012 season in Qatar after his IRTA test at Jerez which saw him languish down on the timesheets between 29th and 30th (team mate Elena Rosell did worse) and will be replacing him with Anthony West.

This is the same West that struggled all pre-season to find a ride after being dropped by Speed Master’s MotoGP (CRT) team when he couldn’t find the budget to race until he finally hooked up with soon-to-be debuting Supersonic BMW team in British Superbikes, leaving them with only Patrick Muff as a rider in next week’s season opener at Brands Hatch, while Cudlin will be able fall back on the Endurance championship with BMW Motorrad France.

“It’s great to be back in Grand Prix racing, with a team that operates on such a highly professional level and with the support of Moriwaki, one of the most experienced and highly regarded manufacturers. We haven’t had the chance to go through the pre-season preparations together, so we can’t expect miracles at the team’s home Grand Prix of Qatar next week. But I’m really excited about this opportunity and I’ll push to the maximum to get the best possible result. My goal is and always has been Grand Prix Racing. I am sorry to turn my back on the BMW Supersonic Team, who gave me the chance to continue my career. At the same time, I am happy they understand my decision and I wish them all the best for this season,” said West.

Source | bikesportnews.com

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Aussie rider Damian Cudlin who at the last minute replaced Ricky Cardus in QMMF Racing Team will be riding not only the full season in Moto2, but he’ll also continue riding in the Endurance World championship with his previous team, BMW Motorrad France.

Cudlin will be a very busy rider over the next 8 months as he’ll be racing in 17 GP races, and 5 EWC events, stretching over 13 countries and starting with the opening round of the Moto2 World Championship will be the Grand Prix of Qatar on the 8th of April, followed a week later by the opening round of the Endurance World Championship- the Bol d’or 24 hour in France.

“I’m certainly going to have a heavy workload but who wouldn’t be excited to be competing in 2 World Championships in the same season?” Cudlin said. “This is really a dream come true for me and I’m absolutely wrapped how it’s all come together. I’ve waited my whole career for a grand prix ride, and now I’ll finally get my chance without losing the possibility of winning the Endurance World Championship in the same year. There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes to make this happen but it’s all been worth it. Now I just can’t wait to go racing!”

Continue reading: Damian Cudlin to also race in Endurance World championship

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Since its start in 2010 Moto2 has been a virtual merry-go-round of riders, with riders being moved around like pieces on a chess board, even during the season because of lack of results, sponsors who don’t pay or even because they don’t have the proper appeal to the team’s sponsors.

So after the recent announcement that Ricky Cardus lost his QMMF ride to Damian Cudlin we now get that Kenny Noyes has lost his ride with Arguiñano Racing Team that he had signed up for last November, and you guessed it, the ride was given to Cardus.

Apparently Cardus has come up with an energy drink sponsor (and I’m betting on Rock Star) and that according to the Spanish press will cover almost all the Cardus’ racing budget.

With the season to kick off in two months, we could still see other changes to the Moto2 entry list.

Source | motocuatro

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Today’s MotoGP race at Phillip Island has lost another rider after Jorge Lorenzo injured himself during warm-up practice, because Yamaha team mate Ben Spies has decided to withdraw from the event following his yesterday’s high speed qualifying crash.

Spies took part in this morning’s warm-up and turned in a total of 12 laps, but had some problems with a pinched nerve in his neck which was causing him reduced concentration and the circuit doctors decided it would be too dangerous to let him ride.

Damian Cudlin who was subbing for injured Hector Barbera, has also decided to withdraw ahead of today’s race following his highside during yesterday’s free practice. The Australian suffered a left hip injury.

The MotoGP grid will see only fourteen riders today.

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Aspar Martinez will have his hands full, as he’ll have two substitute riders for the upcoming Australian GP at Phillip Island, Damian Cudlin has been confirmed and will be subbing for Hector Barbera who underwent collarbone surgery just yesterday, while Ivan Moreno will be replacing Julian Simon who is still recovering from his leg surgery, for both the Australian and Malaysian rounds.

This will be Australian’s second appearance in MotoGP after replacing Loris Capirossi at Motegi and where he’d like to make up the fact that he lost the front of GP11 and crashed out of 12th when he had with only eight laps to go.

This is a fabulous opportunity, and frankly I’m even struggling to believe it. For me it’s an honor to race in MotoGP, the best world championship, and even more wearing the colors of a team like Mapfre Aspar Team. My first experience was unforgettable in Japan and now, after just two weeks, I have another chance. Just last year I had the opportunity to race in the Australian GP, ​​but in the intermediate class. I am very happy, I feel very lucky and I want to take advantage of every minute of this experience. The level of competition is very high, I realized that at Motegi. Thanks to that experience I’ll be at Phillip Island with a greater level of preparation, and since I already know the track, I will address the weekend with more confidence, “ said Cudlin.

While Moreno who hails from the CEV Moto2 championship said, “I am thrilled and very excited about this opportunity! That a team like the Aspar Team has chosen me makes me very proud, but even more so because it is to replace a great world champion like Julito. I want the team to know that I really appreciate it and I take the opportunity to send a big hug to Simon, whom I’ve already called to wish the best that he’s 100% again soon. I’ve never had the chance to ride at any of the circuits, but I’ve played them many times on the PlayStation and I think they are circuits where I will feel very comfortable, they are fast and technical, which is what I do best. My goal is to learn everything I can from this experience and make the most of it. I will do everything possible to achieve good results, but what matters most to me is that the team will be left with a good impression of my work. I think if I can do that, I will have used this opportunity as best as possible.”

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With Loris Capirossi out of this weekend’s Japanese GP due to the shoulder injury that he picked up at Aragon, Pramac Ducati has decided to replace him with Damian Cudlin.

The 29-year-old Australian’s only experience on a MotoGP bike has been limited to testing the BMW/Suter CRT bike and he’s never raced at the Twin Ring.

“I’ve dreamed about starting in MotoGP since I was a boy, and until now it’s been just that- a dream. Now it’s become a reality and to be honest, I’m still in shock!mI’m under no illusions about how difficult this race will be. I’ve never ridden a real MotoGP bike before and I’ve never been to Motegi either, so realistically my expectations can’t be too high. I just want to do the best job I can, enjoy the experience, and just see what happens. I’ve really got nothing to lose, so why not? I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this. I still can’t believe I’ll be replacing Loris Capirossi - I had posters of him on my wall as a kid!”

“I just want to thank Sito Pons for recommending me, the Pramac Racing Team for giving me a chance, and also my current BMW Team for allowing me to use this opportunity. I hope I can make everyone proud that they took a chance with a guy like me.”

Cudlin was previously a World Endurance racer and in 2010 was the IDM German Supersport Champion, and last year also took part in the Moto2 GP race at Sachsenring, filling in for injured Axle Pons, were he finished an excellent 7th.

Capirossi is expected to return for the final three rounds, before his retirement from racing at the end of the season.

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All eyes were pointed on the Suter-BMW Moto1 bike during the three day test, as it got it’s first shakedown at Jerez with Damian Cudlin and Carmelo Morales.

Despite rain disrupting two out of the three days, the test riders were able to complete more than 100 laps in both weather conditions and strangely enough though the test team used Michelin wet tires instead of Bridgestones (which gives the rumor that the French tire manufacturer wants back in MotoGP in 2012, a little more credibility).

Unfortunately for Scott Redding, who had hopes of testing the bike, but between his Thursday crash which sent him for a overnight precautionary stay in the hospital and the rain, warranted a postponement of his evaluation of the Suter Moto1 bike.

The Suter Moto1 project has been designed for the new 2012 MotoGP rules, when the current 800cc prototypes will be replaced by 1000cc and take advantage of the CRT rules that will permit machines based around a production engine in a prototype chassis.

Continue reading: Marc VDS Team talks about the Suter-BMW Moto1 debut

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It looks like that Jerez is finally dry enough to do some serious testing and here’s a pic of Damian Cudlin on the Suter-BMW Moto1 on track getting a shakedown.

The picture was taken by Ian Wheeler, Communications Manager for the Marc VDS Racing Team and the bike developed by Suter, will try to take on the prototypes when modified production engines will also be eligible to race in 2012.

Marc VDS Racing team, will probably be the Suter’s Moto1 first client in 2012, as the team is interested in racing in MotoGP in the future Mika Kallio revealed when he signed up with them.

Source | ianwheeler@twitter

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