TAREE'S Alex Cudlin will be chasing a slice of history when he lines up in the Qatar Road Racing Championship later this year.
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Cudlin has won the title for the past three years. And no-one has ever won it four times.
"A Qatarian has won it three times and I'm equal with him,'' he said.
"So hopefully I can do it again and get the record.''
Cudlin is currently enjoying a six week sabbatical since wrapping up the title last month. He then heads to Europe for testing with Suzuki and he'll ride with Suzuki in the Le Mans 24 Hour Endurance Race in September. Then it's back to Qatar for the start of his championship defence in October.
He had the 2013 title secure with three races to go. Consistency was the key to the success.
"Of the 14 races I won eight and I was on the podium for the rest,'' he explained.
"I didn't have any mechanical problems or crashes. The races I thought I could win I did, but if I wasn't going to win I concentrated on getting on the podium and accumulating points.
"That's why I was able to open such a big lead.''
Cudlin said other riders took risks in trying to go for the big points on offer by winning. He was a touch more conservative.
"I was always thinking about the championship,'' he said.
Cudlin added that he's happy to keep going back to Qatar while his team wants him - although he is looking forward to the opportunity to race with SERT (Suzuki Endurance Racing Team) in France.
"SERT's a professional team and they've won the world championship 10 times,'' he said.
However, Qatar pays the bills.
"They want me back, look after me and they pay me a wage,'' Cudlin said.
"I'm 26 now and married. I have a house to pay off and bills to pay, so I'm not going to ride for nothing.''
Cudlin says he has no interest in trying to get a start in the MotoGP, mainly because of the costs involved. He revealed riders have to pay half a million dollars for a spot.
"They either have rich parents or sponsors who are willing to pay for them,'' Cudlin said.
"I don't have either. Some of the MotoGP riders race in Qatar at times and I've beaten them, so I think that shows I'm at that (MotoGP) standard,'' he said.
"But I have no interest - it's just not worth that sort of money to ride there.''
Cudlin married Amy earlier this year - he had to delay a trip to Sydney for his buck's show to attend the presentation of the Manning River Times-Greater Taree City Council Sportstar of the Year, where he was named the 52nd winner. Amy doesn't travel to Qatar with him, however, she'll be on the plane when he heads to France.
"Yeah, that's going to be good,'' Cudlin said.