Hodgson seventh in opener

3:18pm Monday 10th March 2008

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BURNLEY rider Neil Hodgson got his new American Superbike season off to a steady start with a seventh place finish in Daytona.

The former World Superbike champion was riding for the American Honda team in the first race of the new season.

And the Burnley bullet was on course for a top four finish until a mistake two laps from the finish.

He was in a battle for fourth when he ran off the track in turn five on the 13th of 15 laps.

He recovered to pass Monster Kawasaki's Roger Lee Hayden on the final lap to eventually finish seventh.

The race was won by Aussie Mat Mladin, who edged out Suzuki team-mate Ben Spies.

Superbike Final: 1. Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 2. Ben Spies (Suzuki), 3. Jason DiSalvo (Yamaha) 4. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki)5. Jamie Hacking (Kawasaki) 6. Aaron Yates (Suzuki) 7. Neil Hodgson (Honda) 8. Roger Lee Hayden (Kawasaki) 9. Blake Young (Suzuki) 10. Geoff May (Suzuki)