Casey Stoner might be the name on most people’s minds when they think Aussie MotoGP riders, however there is another man on the grid this weekend we want you to meet – Damian Cudlin.
Regular viewers of the MotoGP coverage on ONEHD will have seen Damian’s first MotoGP event last round at Motegi for the Japanese GP where he replaced Loris Capirossi. Well, he’s received the call up once again – this time to replace Hector Barbera and that race will take place at his home Grand Prix – Phillip Island
Damian Cudlin and his wife Amy on the Grid at Motegi
Damian is 28 years old, and he’s worked his butt off to get to where he is today – in fact, he’s worked his back-off. You see, 10 years ago, he suffered horrific spinal injuries in an warm up session for a race at Sydney’s Eastern Creek. Told he wouldn’t walk again, you can hardly imagine what he went through as an 18 year old.
After months lying still in a full and then half plaster, he recovered to not only walk and touch his toes, but to get back on the bikes and start racing again.
Motorsport is a political beast – and without connections or huge financial support, getting a GP ride is a tough job. Damian has been racing endurance races for the BMW team across the world, with a chance of taking this year’s title – so it’s fortunate that some key people in the sport have their eyes on Damo, and gave him the call up he always wanted.
Sure, it meant he didn’t get to go to OctoberFest with his mates in Germany – but he wasn’t going to knock back that GP ride.
So, how will it feel to be on the grid for the Phillip Island MotoGP, and what was it like to get that call up again? As he told me “if I’m dreaming don’t wake me up!”
Have a listen below to the full chat with Damian Cudlin, Aussie MotoGP rider where we discuss his early days riding bikes, the early years racing, his crash, and recovery plus the road to MotoGP.
[audio:EFTM-DAMIAN-CUDLIN.mp3]
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