Source: Supplied.

Four-time Qatar Superbike Champion Alex Cudlin put forward a stellar performance at last weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hour, the final round of the FIM Endurance World Championship, to claim top Superstock honours and fourth overall.

Cudlin partnered countryman Anthony West and Mashel Al Naimi on the QMMF Racing Team Kawasaki, starring throughout the weekend including a stunning pole position lap to seal the runner-up position in the 2014 series.

Two stripped axles during a horror pit stop at the 10th hour while leading the Superstock category by a full lap instead placed QMMF a lap behind the Suzuki Junior Team, but they clawed their way back into contention and reclaimed the lead when rain fell in the early hours of Sunday morning.

While West mastered the wet conditions, Cudlin and Al Naimi recorded a series of quick laps during the final hours to secure the race win, eventually two laps ahead when the chequered flag flew at 3:00pm local time.

“There’s hardly any better feeling than winning a 24-hour race,” Cudlin said. “You’re so knackered, the bike’s almost falling apart and everyone’s ready to fall over, but that top step of the podium makes it all worth while.

“This was easily the best team effort we’ve had this year – Mashel really stepped it up in the morning when we needed it and Anthony was very impressive with his debut 24-hour race. I felt like my riding this weekend was some of my best ever. I set a brilliant lap time in qualifying and was very fast in the race without making any mistakes.

“As a whole, we were a perfect team. Our bike worked fantastic and my crew were unbelievable in the pit stops. The pit stop drama with the axle was really frustrating, but we worked as a team and bought the bike home in one piece, no crashes, and plenty of laughs. It’s as good as it gets and a great way to finish the endurance season off.”

The result marked Cudlin’s second appearance on the Le Mans podium, previously winning the Superstock race during the 2010 season.