Published in the Daily Mirror - Saturday 22 June 2002
I FEEL slightly guilty writing about anyone other than Mr. Golden Balls; however we must now look to men with balls of steel for English glory! Enter Neil Hodgson.The Burnley-born battler will be Ducati’s Number 1 factory rider in 2003 but can he show championship form this weekend at San Marino?
Being offered the top job next year must surely boost his confidence but news of his team-mate is yet to be confirmed, though the main candidate is Californian paddock heartthrob Ben Bostrom.
Neil's hopes of winning the championship this year have been thwarted by the impossible combination of Troy Bayliss and the factory Ducati bike.
The Australian has driven his determination to win 11 races out of the 14 run and Hondas Texan Colin Edwards has fought hard for 13 podium finishes leaving Hodgson third.
That is a respectable placing for a man riding a slightly inferior bike to the other three factory riders, Bostrom, Ruben Xaus and Bayliss. With the news that Bayliss will ride in GP1 next year and Hodgson will front the team on the new 999, what is there to stop Britain having a new World Champion? "I'm looking forward to not playing second fiddle to another team; the new bike is just what I need to be Champion. Obviously I'm disappointed to not be with GSE Racing again, but they will be running James Toseland and another rider".
Its Neil's second bite of the cherry in the official team; his last chance ended in personal disappointment after partnering John Kocinski and four-time champ Carl Fogarty. "My jubilation of riding for the factory team at such a young age turned sour. I wasn't enjoying my riding and the results just weren't coming. I went to the British Championship to regain my spirit and to become known by the fans, their support is very important to me".Since returning to the World Series, Neil's physical riding talent has been enhanced by his psychological strength, something he seemed to lack in the past.
He has ridden his bike to and beyond the limit and his belief in himself is paramount to the next few years of his career. As with any sportsman, time is a premium and Neil Hodgson knows his time is coming.