Damian Cudlin in place of de Angelis

"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!" - Damian Cudlin.

Peter McLaren

15 Oct 2015

Cudlin, Valencia MotoGP 2013
© Gold and Goose

There will be three home Australian riders on the Phillip Island grid this weekend with Damian Cudlin announced as replacing the injured Alex de Angelis.

Cudlin, 31, has made six previous MotoGP starts, the most recent with PBM in 2013.

de Angelis remains in hospital in Japan after his serious accident during practice at Motegi last weekend.

"First and foremost, I want to wish Alex de Angelis a full and speedy recovery from his injuries," Cudlin 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 joins countrymen Anthony West (in place of Karel Abraham at AB Motoracing) and Australia's full time MotoGP racer Jack Miller (LCR Honda) on the Phillip Island entry list.