Hodgson back to fitness

Ducati rider Neil Hodgson heads for the Infineone Raceway in California this weekend feelng fit for the battle and in third place in the US superbike championship

He gained ground at the last round held at California Speedway two weekends ago, despite a virus that dehydrated him over the weekend and required medical attention.

Hodgson said: “The bottom line is I was sick and we got through a race at a track I didn’t particularly care for in testing. Now we’ll continue to fight on.”

Former WSB and BSB champion Hodgson is the only man this year to consistently challenge the Suzukis in America this season. He has three podium finishes this season, his first in the States

AMA Superbike Points (after 5 of 17 rounds): 1. Spies (Suzuki) 155, 2. Mladin (Suzuki) 152, 3. NEIL HODGSON (Ducati) 146, 4. Yates (Suzuki) 143, 5. Eric Bostrom (Ducati) 122, 6. DuHamel (Honda) 118.

Circuit: Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California, 12 turns, 2.22 miles (3.57 kilometers). Permanent road course, Superbike races are 28 laps each.

Lap record: Gobert (Yamaha) 1:31.692 (2002).