Hodgson lands Ducati test deal

Out-of-a-ride former World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson was signed by the works Ducati MotoGP team to test their new 800cc bike. The Briton will take over his duties very soon, due to the fact that regular test rider Shinichi Itoh is sidelined due to injury.

Isle of Man-based Neil Hodgson declared to Motorcycling News: “I’m excited to get the chance to ride one of the 800s. I watched the first GP, never really thinking I’d get a chance to ride one", MCN quoted Hodgson as saying. "I want to ride a bike as soon as I can because no matter how much training you do, there is no substitute for doing laps, which I’ll be doing lots of in testing."

Ducati team boss Livio Suppo added: "Neil was an obvious choice given his availability, he is well known by Ducati and has lots of experience."

Hodgson began his career on the two-wheel top scene in 1995 riding in the 500cc World Championship, but soon switched to Superbikes. In 2000, he won the British Superbike championship and the World title followed in 2003 with Ducati. One year later, he entered the highly competitive MotoGP with Ducati customer Team D'Antin, but failed to make an impression. Disillusioned, but loyal to Ducati, Hodgson returned to Superbikes, spending the next two years in the American championship.

Following Ducati's official retirement from the AMA Superbike championship, 33-year old Hodgson found himself without a permanent ride in 2007. He has been chasing a World Superbike ride this year, but couldn't land the deal he wanted with factory-backed Team Xerox Ducati.