5:35pm Friday 5th June 2009
By Neil Johnson
THE American Superbike season starts again for Neil Hodgson this weekend.
The former British and World champion looked set for his best year stateside when he finished second overall at the Daytona opener.
But then it all went wrong when the Burnley ace was badly injured whilst out training on his motocross bike.
Airlifted to a Californian hospital, Hodgson suffered a collapsed lung, dislocated shoulder and severe rib injuries.
Out for three rounds, his challenge for a unique hat-trick was effectively over before it started.
But now the Corona Honda rider is back on the US trail, and after finishing ninth overall in a 'shakedown' appearance at the Infineon Raceway in California, he's ready for a tilt at the top three for this weekend's round six at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
“I didn't go to Infineon with any expectations of great results or anything,” said Hodgson.
“I was good for about five laps and then all the painkillers wore off.
“You never feel total clarity when you've taken quite a lot of pain-killers and anti-inflammatories and I felt slightly not on my game.
“I knew it was going to be tough, but I survived the weekend and I'm confident that this is as bad as it'll ever be and it'll be a lot stronger for the next race at Elkhart Lake.
“I think the Honda's pretty fast. Obviously, you need speed around there, so I'm looking forward to it and my season starts again at Elkhart.”
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