Mark Douglas
Staff Writer 
Neil Hodgson is on his way back to British Superbike for the 2010 Championship. Next year will be his 20th professional racing season, and the Easter weekend at Brands will mark the anniversary of his first-ever road race.
AllAboutBikes new Scottish writer, Mark Douglas, managed to catch up with him on his return to the UK this week.
This is what Neil had to say:
AAB: “Hi Neil, how are you doing? Hope you are well and had a safe journey back from the States.”
NH: “Had a great trip back, always love coming back to the U, to see my Mum and Dad and friends. I have only been back five days after having seen my surgeon in the the US.”
AAB: “Yes, I read about your injuries, how is your recovery going?”
NH: “Well, because of the type of injuries I have, the surgeon has said it will be slow, probably three months before I really start to gain strength in my shoulder. So I think in another months time I will be able to train a lot harder and start to get things back to where they were. I am finding it very frustrating, like most racers do, so I have just got to keep pushing.”
AAB: “You were fit anyway and that will help in your recovery?”
NH: “Definitely, I have always enjoyed keeping fit and have always been in good shape and that will definitely have helped my recovery. A lot of the riders hate the fitness side but I have always enjoyed it.
AAB: “And now you are back to BSB with a new goal?”
NH: “Yeah, I am really excited about it.”
AAB: “I know a lot of BSB fans here and they are all really up for your return to BSB and think it will really stir things up!”
NH: “Well that is great to know!”
AAB: “So this leads me to the transition from AMA to BSB...how is that going to work because they are very different for all sorts of reasons?”
NH: “Without a doubt things are going to be different. The biggest thing will be the weather. I always struggled in America with the heat and humidity...I hate it. So I am really looking forward to the cooler conditions. I'm not really looking forward to the rain; nobody likes riding in the rain. I have always been good in the rain because I am a smooth rider, but in the rain you always feel as if you are on the edge of crashing and it is always hard to find the limit.”
AAB: “Well, I don't know if your parents have told you about the rain here in the UK this year but it has been absolutely diabolical.”
NH: “Absolutely amazing weather, I said to my Dad: 'Is this normal for the UK? Or have I just forgotten how bad it is in the UK?'”
AAB: “So apart from the weather, the big change will be the tracks?"
NH: “Yes, the tracks in England are generally a lot better than in the US. There are two or three great tracks in America, however, the majority are very bumpy and they use a lot of concrete and they get worn out, they don't resurface them that often. This affects the way you ride, your line, set-up and traction are difficult to sort out. When you go to Utah, the Miller track is a great track but because you are in the desert, the dust is horrific and this makes riding on the limit that much harder, mind you it's the same for everybody.”
AAB: “ I know your goal was to go out to America and be the first man to win all three of the major Super-Bike series: BSB, WSB and AMA? A lot of people back here don't realize just how competitive the AMA series is, so how has the whole experience been for you?”
NH: “ I really did want to get some results in America and I thought it would be a bit easier but I was surprised how fast these guys were, especially Mat Mladin and Ben Spies; they are great riders!! Things didn't really go my way and I don't think I had much luck! I don't regret coming out to AMA, it has been a great to experience new things, new life experiences and obviously winning is a priority but I am in my 20th year of racing and I always enjoy setting new challenges for myself and I don't regret a thing.”
AAB: “Could you give me a quick comparison between AMA and BSB racing?”
NH: “ Simply, AMA is faster, the top riders are definitely quicker than in BSB, but the biggest problem is the organization. In BSB they will get eight or nine races off during the day with no problems but in AMA they will only have two races and still manage to mess them up. But on racing terms, AMA is definitely faster.”
AAB: “ This seems to be a major issue in AMA and I see that Johnny Rock Page has been voicing his opinions, didn't you have a run-in with him at New Jersey, what was that all about?”
NH: “ He's a character, but I never had a run-in with him, a lot of other people have had, but not me. I mean he is a self-made millionaire and he is living his dream and that is great but there are a lot of teams out there spending millions of dollars racing for the championship and the last thing you need is someone out there having a bit of fun changing the outcome of a race. I don't want to stop anyone from doing what they want but there is a multi-million dollar business out there and it would just be better and safer if he paid some attention to the blue flags.”
AAB: “Your return to BSB has been met with differing press opinion. The fans are cock-ahoop, however, as you know the press in England are very negative and they seem to think you are coming back for the money.”
NH: “ No doubt about it the press in the UK are the most bitchy in the world and as for the money, BSB is the most poorly rewarded series in the history of motorcycle racing. Anyone who says that doesn't know anything about superbikes, I never read the British press, the only site I ever read is Super Bike Planet which is American. I never get involved with the forums, you know what it is like, it's human nature; some people are going to like you, others aren't. It can mess you up reading comments about yourself so I tend not to do it and just get on with the riding.”
AAB: “ There is a great feeling of expectation when you return for the first race and Brands Hatch, and some people believe you will increase the crowd substantially.”
NH: “ I had a great following when I won WSB, however, I have been away for some time and I don't expect that much of a following when I get back, I am hoping some of my old fans will show some loyalty but my friends and family will be there for me.”
AAB: “ OK, let's talk about your new team: Motor Point/Henderson Yamaha, they look strong for next year.””
NH: “ Yeah, Rob Mac (Rob McElnea, Team Manager) always runs good teams. He has won a fair few championships but not too much luck recently, and I do believe that the Yamaha is a great bike and they have a lot of experience with it so with some winter testing and me getting my shoulder strong then we will have lots of time to get the bike right for the new season.””
AAB: “ So the big question is are you coming back to BSB to win it and if so is that going to be purely dependant on your shoulder?”
NH: “ That's the way it feels at the moment, all the pieces of the jigsaw are in place. I need to work on my shoulder, I've got a lot of time until the start of the season and my mind is in place and the bike will be sorted. The smoothness of the Yamaha will help my shoulder throughout the season and I will definitely be a contender for the championship.”
AAB: “ You are off to Spain in December. What do you hope to get out of that?”
NH: “ Yeah, I won't be one-hundred percent so I am just going for a ride and I will get my first shot on the bike and I am super excited about that. The bike looks awesome and it will be good to see what it feels like. Being an ex-Ducati rider I think my style will suit the R1!”
AAB: “ What you did with Ducati was unbelievable, what do you think about Casey Stoner?
NH: “It's amazing what he does; he is like a hero to me now and I love watching him. The bike looks so hard to ride but he still manages and he is only a tiny little guy"
AAB: “ I see that Yukio Kagayama is coming for next season, obviously he will be a threat. Who else will you be watching out for?”
NH: “ There are a lot of very competitive riders in the series and Yukio will definitely be one to watch, he is a great rider. Probably, Stuart Easton is the biggest threat; he is very smooth and fast and does not crash much so I feel he is the big danger.”
AAB: “Great stuff Neil, got a few more questions for you, firstly and more importantly, the most important question of all, “Brolly Dollies.” US or UK?”
NH: “ That's easy, US, without a doubt!! By a long way, they are stunning, they have great sun tans and they are not shy of a bit of enhancement if you know what I am talking about.”
AAB: “ Do you have anything you would like to say to your American fans?”
NH: “ Just to say it is a great place, I love it. I had a fantastic experience in AMA the American fans were superb. I will go back.”
AAB: “ Neil, thanks very much, good luck with the shoulder and with next season.”
NH: “Thanks Mark, say Hi to all the guys at AllAboutBikes.”
Footnote:
These do not sound like the words of someone in the final years of his career, considering what some negative press would say was an “indifferent” time for Neil in AMA and the serious injuries sustained this season, you might have expected Neil to hang up his helmet. But NO.
Neil Hodgson is back in BSB and will definitely be competing for the Championship in 2010. All those youngsters can sit back and learn a lesson from a truly seasoned world racing professional.
Everyone at AllAboutBikes would like to wish Neil the best of luck.
