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Hodgson takes pride in state of British racing
Silverstone, June 12: Neil Hodgson has praised the high standard of British riders ahead of Sunday`s World Superbike Championship round at Silverstone. Hodgson`s impressive run of nine consecutive victories came to an end two weeks ago in Germany, but the Burnley-born rider still leads the standings by over 100 points.
Silverstone, June 12: Neil Hodgson has praised the high standard of British riders ahead of Sunday's World Superbike Championship round at Silverstone.
Hodgson's impressive run of nine consecutive victories came to an end two weeks ago in Germany, but the Burnley-born rider still leads the standings by over 100 points.
Sheffield's Jason Toseland beat Hodgson into first place in the second race in Germany, a win that moved him into second spot in the race for the title. With Toseland's team-mate Chris Walker is also in the top 10, Hodgson believes British racing is as good as it has ever been. "Britsh racing is really healthy at the moment," Hodgson told reporters. "In the history of Superbikes we've never had three Brits on the podium before.
"It's fantastic for the fans and I'm sure that will put another five or 10 thousand on the gate. The following in the UK is fantastic for myself and all the British riders.
"To race in front of your home crowd and to get that home support is something that makes me feel very proud. I love racing in the UK, it's always very special."
Hodgson has dominated this year's championship, winning the opening the nine races to equal reigning champion Colin Edwards' record of consecutive victories in the series. The Ducati Fila rider puts his impressive form down to his new bike, which he feels has made him more competitive than in previous years.
"I'm riding probably as well as I have ever ridden before and the bike is pretty good," he said. "I was riding a 2001 spec Ducati last year and now I'm riding a 2003 spec Ducati, so I've gained two years.
"Last year I was fast round the corners but slow on the straights, now I'm fast on the corners and fast on the straights."
Critics have pointed to the departure of Edwards and former world champion Troy Bayliss to MotoGp as evidence that this year's championship has the weakest field in years. But Hodgson insists Superbikes has not been devalued by their departures.
He said; "All I can do is beat whoever is in front of me, ride as hard as I can and go faster that anyone has ever been before in Superbikes.
"What I want to do is win the world championship, that is my priority and what I would love to achieve.
"For now I'm focusing on the weekend - if I win at Silverstone I'll be the happiest man in the world."
Bureau Report
Sheffield's Jason Toseland beat Hodgson into first place in the second race in Germany, a win that moved him into second spot in the race for the title. With Toseland's team-mate Chris Walker is also in the top 10, Hodgson believes British racing is as good as it has ever been. "Britsh racing is really healthy at the moment," Hodgson told reporters. "In the history of Superbikes we've never had three Brits on the podium before.
"It's fantastic for the fans and I'm sure that will put another five or 10 thousand on the gate. The following in the UK is fantastic for myself and all the British riders.
"To race in front of your home crowd and to get that home support is something that makes me feel very proud. I love racing in the UK, it's always very special."
Hodgson has dominated this year's championship, winning the opening the nine races to equal reigning champion Colin Edwards' record of consecutive victories in the series. The Ducati Fila rider puts his impressive form down to his new bike, which he feels has made him more competitive than in previous years.
"I'm riding probably as well as I have ever ridden before and the bike is pretty good," he said. "I was riding a 2001 spec Ducati last year and now I'm riding a 2003 spec Ducati, so I've gained two years.
"Last year I was fast round the corners but slow on the straights, now I'm fast on the corners and fast on the straights."
Critics have pointed to the departure of Edwards and former world champion Troy Bayliss to MotoGp as evidence that this year's championship has the weakest field in years. But Hodgson insists Superbikes has not been devalued by their departures.
He said; "All I can do is beat whoever is in front of me, ride as hard as I can and go faster that anyone has ever been before in Superbikes.
"What I want to do is win the world championship, that is my priority and what I would love to achieve.
"For now I'm focusing on the weekend - if I win at Silverstone I'll be the happiest man in the world."
Bureau Report