g the learning curve on the tight curves of the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

The Burnley rider, Britain's hope to step into the shoes of Carl Fogarty in World Superbikes, arrived in Spain with a few ghosts to bury.

Having tested badly here in February, Hodgson suffered a disappointing opening morning at the first round of the championship managing only the 12th fastest time.

On a cool and windy afternoon, he improved enough to enter today's final qualifying and superpole having climbed to eighth.

But Hodgson, who has made the step up to World Superbikes having won the British championship last year, is still not a fan of the Valencia circuit.

And he has to settle a number of issues with his Ducati 996 if he is to have a hope of making tomorrow's podium.

He said: "It could be a salvage weekend. Already it's not looking too clever although it's too early to rule out a podium finish. But it's not where I want to be after the first day, I'm devastated.

"I'm struggling with lots of small things, like the way the engine delivers power. Last year we never changed it once but now I can't seem to get the right feeling and this sport is all about feeling.

"This track is no fun at all because it is so stop-start. The majority of turns are 180degrees and it is in the corners when the feeling is everything. The wind was also a problem because it comes underneath you at some corners and, at others, it doesn't." But Hodgson wasn't the only one to struggle. Reigning champion Colin Edwards was one place lower than Hodgson in ninth and Pier-Francesco Chili was down in 14th.

So it was left to the old head of Troy Corser to teach the young pups how it's done.

He smashed his own qualifying record from last year, when he won the first race, by a whole second.

And he was more than half a second quicker than his nearest rival, Japanese new boy, Hitoyasu Isutsu on a Kawasaki.

Ruben Xaus, the man being groomed by Ducati to fill the shoes of Carl Fogarty, was third fastest on home territory.