Australia’s Damian Cudlin has consolidated his IDM Supersport Championship lead with a double podium finish at Oscherseleben in Germany on the weekend.

After a dominant win at the opening round in Lausitzring, Cudlin headed into Oschersleben with high expectations however the weekend proved tougher for the Team MRC rider as mixed weather conditions played havoc on the IDM competitors.

Whilst challenging for pole position in the opening wet qualifying session, Cudlin suffered a hard fall in the slippery conditions. While the team worked frantically to repair the machine for the second qualifier, a battered and bruised Cudlin managed to secure 5th position on the grid.

With no let up from the rain in freezing conditions, Cudlin rode a steady race in the opening leg, settling for 3rd after a series of frightening moments.

“This race was one of survival today” Cudlin explained about the race which saw over 20 riders fail to finish. “I moved into 2nd position but could see from early on in the race that I wouldn’t be able to fight for the win today. I had a few scary moments like the one that caught me out in qualifying and I decided to play it safe and bring it home.”

The weather improved for Sunday’s second race, and having set a blinding pace in the dry conditions on Friday, Cudlin was confident of getting back to winning ways.

Pole setter Michi Ranseder got off to a flying start while Cudlin clawed his way through the field and moved into 2nd position. The Aussie then set after the former GP regular, slowly closing the gap. However after lap 8 it appeared Cudlin was struggling to advance any further as Ranseder kept a consistent pace at the front. Unable to lap at the same pace he’d shown earlier in the week, Cudlin was forced to settle for 2nd position and another podium finish.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t get the win today as I really thought we had the package to do it.” Cudlin said after the race. “Once I moved into 2nd I tried to chase Michi down but I had a big problem with the front tyre and I wasn’t able to go as fast as I’d been previously. Michi rode a great race regardless, but I think this was one that got away from us today.”

Despite the set back in the race, Cudlin’s string of 3 podium finishes in as many races has kept him at the top of the title chase as the series heads to Nurburgring in two weeks time.

Cudlin will now turn his attention to the next round of the World Endurance Championship at Albacete in Spain this weekend, where he hopes to advance from 8th in the World Championship standings with his BMP Elf Honda Team.

Watch the Oschersleben IDM Race