Neil Hodgson

This has been covered in the "still awaiting his fate" thread. I read today however that the wsbk entry list does not include him, nor does it have provisional entry for foggies team, so it doesn't look good.

I predict he will be riding something this year, maybe replacement or something, and maybe at a lower level then what he wanted. I don't think hes over just yet.

Hodgson claims Ducati wanted him on the works WSB squad but Bayliss vetoed that, Bayliss says that's not remotely true. Who knows the truth behind all that. As far as what he'll do this season, it's so late and he's turned down so many options I think he's going to sit on the sidelines. Better luck next year, unfortunately.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost @ Jan 18 2007, 01:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hodgson claims Ducati wanted him on the works WSB squad but Bayliss vetoed that, Bayliss says that's not remotely true. Who knows the truth behind all that. As far as what he'll do this season, it's so late and he's turned down so many options I think he's going to sit on the sidelines. Better luck next year, unfortunately.
+1

I care and it's a real shame that he may not be riding this season.

I thought he did well in AMA the last couple of years considering the Ducs were arguably not as competitive as other championships due to the AMA rules around twin engines.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Feb 1 2007, 10:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I thought he did well in AMA the last couple of years considering the Ducs were arguably not as competitive as other championships due to the AMA rules around twin engines.
he did well enough. & he should definately have a ride. damn shame.

He should have a ride, but maybe he should have been willing to settle for something that wasn't toally top level. If hes still as good as he says he is he could easily have proved himself once more and got a works ride for 2008.

And his biggest mistake was obviously believing words that came from Foggy's mouth. What a foolish mistake.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 1 2007, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He should have a ride, but maybe he should have been willing to settle for something that wasn't toally top level.
why not just do a season in bsb? better that than sittin on your ... a whole season. his pride gettin in the way i suppose.

I reckon he'd loose in BSB and harm his rep further. We have quite specialist and technical tracks and it'd take him a year to settle in. Plus there are some seriously fast guys about so he'd end up looking worse.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 1 2007, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I reckon he'd loose in BSB and harm his rep further. Plus there are some seriously fast guys about so he'd end up looking worse.
u think?....... surly he knows the tracks well enough to get back up to speed quick enough. it's got to be better than sittin around gettin lazy.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 1 2007, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>We have quite specialist and technical tracks . Plus there are some seriously fast guys about so he'd end up looking worse.
i know i get the season review every year. i'm still waiting for it to be released in the proper format..... it's takin a awful long time this year it seems. startin to piss me off.

well he wouldnt be bad, but he wouldnt be champion. But your right, its better than nothing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Feb 1 2007, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I thought he did well in AMA the last couple of years considering the Ducs were arguably not as competitive as other championships due to the AMA rules around twin engines.
The 999 was capable in 2005, Neil took a win and teammate Eric Bostrom took another two or three. It wasn't until this past season when Yosh Suzuki were riding with TC that the Duc was uncompetitive in AMA. And at that point it wasn't that Ducati were uncompetitive, it was that Suzuki were so fast with TC that Ducati, Honda and Kawasaki all looked slow in comparison.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Feb 1 2007, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>why not just do a season in bsb? better that than sittin on your ... a whole season. his pride gettin in the way i suppose.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 1 2007, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I reckon he'd loose in BSB and harm his rep further. We have quite specialist and technical tracks and it'd take him a year to settle in. Plus there are some seriously fast guys about so he'd end up looking worse.
I heard he had an offer to ride for Rizla Suzuki in BSB but passed. I'm not so sure that was the right decision or not. Based on the team's performance the past season or two I'm not so sure they're on par with Airwaves Ducati and HM Plant Honda. But then again, anything is better than sitting on his ... all season.

I think the Rizla team was on a par but the riders weren't. They are very get good factory support and could challange for the title with the right rider onboard. However i think Hodgesone turned down BSB because he didn't want to accept going back to britain for the twilight of his career like so many people do. Maybe he was affraid he would never get into world championships again if he accepted BSB now. Unfortunately he hasn't done himself any favours.

Do you think he will get himself a ride for 2008 sesaon, and if so where? I can't see him being in the world championship again, but you never know.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 5 2007, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>However i think Hodgesone turned down BSB because he didn't want to accept going back to britain for the twilight of his career like so many people do.
a very big mistake imo.

Anyone see this?

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Feb/070227b3.htm

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L8Braker @ Feb 28 2007, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Anyone see this?

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Feb/070227b3.htm

its been on crash.. awaiting devolpment after PI .. i hope he takes it, if its a real offer ofcourse!!

Yamaha france are not very competative though, and having missed the early season and being in the USA for two years i wouldnt expect success. Not to mention actually leaving Ducati and riding a 4 cylinder bike.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 28 2007, 05:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yamaha france are not very competative though, and having missed the early season and being in the USA for two years i wouldnt expect success. Not to mention actually leaving Ducati and riding a 4 cylinder bike.

still, get him back into WSBK just to remind everyone what hes got to offer then get a sweet ride in 08 ..

well yeah, regardless of the bike he needs to get back on the grid, he need to get his name about and he needs to ride for his fans sake, it can't do him any harm when compared to sitting around at home.