Rossi and Hodgson latest as it breaks

The final round of the 2004 MotoGP championship promises some huge news about the coming season. MCN is expecting that Neil Hodgson to confirm his departure from WSB on Saturday to join the D’Antin Ducati MotoGP team for next year.

The satellite team will run the factory bikes from this year. It’s also possible that Hodgson’s team-mate will be confirmed with current Ducati WSB rider Ruben Xaus, Norrick Abe and Shinya Nakano all possibilities.

And that announcement will be match by the news that Honda will be making an announcement on Sunday regarding their 2004 line-up. Motorcyclenews.com will have the first news on Rossi’s future. If he isn’t confirmed as a Honda rider, we’d like your suggestions for where he should go

And then there’s the racing! The 250cc world champion has yet to be decided. Manuel Poggiali heads the standings by just seven points from Roberto Rolfo. Poggiali has led the championship since the first round at Suzuka, but is coming under pressure in the closing stages of his debut season in 250s. Rolfo took a win at the last round in Australia. If he does take the championship, he would become the first rider to win the title without leading the series all season since Kel Carruthers in 1969.

Poggiali actually lost the 125cc championship at this circuit in 2003 and will be determined not to repeat that disappointment.

Throughout the weekend we’ll be updating the site with the latest news from our reporters in Valencia. If you want to find out what the future holds for Hodgson and Rossi just after the riders find out themselves, keep checking motorcyclenews.com

Where do you think Rossi should go next season? Would you like him to join Yamaha or Ducati? Or if he wants a real challenge how about British Superbikes? Post your thoughts on the MotoGP discussion boar by following the link on the right.