Neil Hodgson, World Chapion Superbike rider
What will you be riding in the upcoming Superbike championships and what are your hopes for the races?
A 999 Ducati Superbike. I'm competing in the Laguna Seca circuit in the United States on July 13th and I hope to secure two wins.
When did you start racing and how did you get involved in the sport?
I started riding bikes when I was five-years-old, off-road dirt bikes. By the time I was nine I knew I wanted to compete at competition level.
What draws you to superbike racing?
The sheer buzz you get from racing is amazing. When I was 16 I competed in Motocross but I was too small and skinny and didn't like the bumpy tracks. When I broke my leg I decided to give it up and took up riding on the tarmac instead. I fell in love with racing and found it much easier than Motocross. I don't particularly like motorcycles but the feeling you get speeding at 196 mph is thrilling. The thrill of going so fast whilst in total control is addictive.
What was your first machine?
A TY 80, it was a small trials bike.
How important is the manufacturer and model of bike chosen for this sport?
Ducati have won the superbike championships 10 times out of 15, so they are definitely the strongest manufacturers. Factory teams are better than private teams, because they have the latest and best of everything and if there are any new developments you get them first. The organisers do try to change the modification rules because Ducati dominate the series.
The difference between a superbike and a road bike is that there is 60-brake horsepower more on a superbike and greater suspension. Everything is lighter on a superbike to make it go faster, the wheels of the 999 are made of aluminium which makes them 2.2kg lighter and therefore ideal for racing. The faring is made out of carbon fibre which is more lightweight and more aerodynamic.
Is there a biking heritage in your family?
Yes, my dad used to race bikes so he encouraged me to become involved. He's been my greatest influence.
Do you think road racing is a dangerous sport?
I think road racers are crazy. Competitions like the TT give superbike racing a bad name. What I do is a lot safer. There has only been one fatality in 13 years and that was a freak accident. Crashing doesn't actually kill you, it's what you crash into. When you race on a circuit and you crash you can slide along the tarmac then get up and walk away, the gear protects you. It's crashing into trees and walls that kill you. I didn't watch'this year's TT, I wasn't in the Isle of Man at the time. My good friend David Jeffries was killed, which is one of the reasons I don't like road racing, I don't like seeing my friends die.
Have you ever had any accidents?
Yes, in the 20 years I've been racing I've only broken a few bones: wrist, ribs, kneecap and tibia. Compared to rugby, superbike racing is not that dangerous.
Do you drive a car?
A BMW X5. I can ride a road bike but it would be too much like a busman's holiday.
What is your long-term ambition?
To win the world championships and to make enough money to retire and be comfortably well off. I wouldn't give up bikes completely, I would like to stay involved by doing television work or maybe helping children starting out in the sport. If I win the world championships this year then I'm well on my way.