Cudlin to replace de Angelis in Australia, Malaysia
Australian rider Damian Cudlin has been given a last-minute call-up to replace the injured Alex de Angelis at this weekend’s Australian GP.
With de Angelis still in intensive care in Japan after his heavy crash at Motegi, it was widely expected that the Ioda Racing Project squad would sit the Phillip Island race out.
However, the team has made a last-minute decision to recruit Cudlin, the 30-year-old Aussie given a two-race deal for the Australian and Malaysian GPs.
Phillip Island will be Cudlin’s seventh MotoGP start, the New South Welshman having started one premier class race in 2011 for Pramac, and five in 2013 for Paul Bird Motorsport.
“First and foremost, I want to wish Alex De Angelis a full and speedy recovery from his injuries,” he said.
“It was a nice surprise for me to receive an offer from Team e-motion Iodaracing, although, if I’m honest, I was a bit hesitant to replace Alex under these circumstances.
“But after hearing the positive news of Alex’s recovery progress, we agreed to do it and I couldn’t be more excited to be riding in MotoGP again.
“Obviously, it won’t be easy for me and I’m not expecting any miracles. I just want to do the job that I’m there for, give the team good feedback, try and stay upright, and get us to the finish.
“I really want to thank the Team e-motion Iodaracing for the opportunity and I can’t wait to throw my leg over a MotoGP bike again.”
Cudlin’s deal means there will be three Aussies in the field at Phillip Island this weekend, with Jack Miller on the LCR Honda, and Anthony West on the AB Honda.
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