Hodgson considers MotoGP switch

Neil Hodgson, the Isle of Man-based rider who is currently leading the World Superbike Championship, is set to enter new talks over a possible move to MotoGP.

Hodgson is focused on two victories at Brands Hatch on Sunday but will then meet Ducati team bosses to talk about a switch to MotoGP.

Speculation that he was contemplating a move intensified after Hodgson attended MotoGP's Dutch TT last month. "Ducati have spoken to me about a move into MotoGP and I had an initial meeting with them in June," Hodgson said.

"I was asked if if I might possibly be interested in MotoGP for next year or whether I would like to stay in World Superbikes for 2004. I said there might be a possibility I'd be interested, yes, and we discussed it briefly at that stage.

"I know Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi will be riding for the factory team next season so if I do move there won't be a factory ride waiting for me," he added. "If I do move I'll be moving to a satellite team. Hence the reason for the meeting next week because I would want to know a lot about the team I would be moving to."