AMA: Neil Hodgson breaks silence over U.S. deal

Neil Hodgson has spoken for the first time about his deal to ride for Honda America in the AMA Superbike series for the next two years.

The signing was made official yesterday at the Honda US dealer conference held in California where Neil Hodgson was unveiled alongside Miguel Duhamel as the firm’s top two men in AMA next year.

Although we broke the story in last week’s MCN it is only now that Neil Hodgson has been allowed to talk since the signing became official.

He told MCN: “I have learnt from my mistakes in the past which saw me left without a ride when I put all my eggs in one basket only to be left disappointed.

“I have spent the last year without a ride and it’s my family and my ride so I don’t care what people think of this decision.

“I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into this ride and the people at Honda are hugely optimistic about the new bike and the chances of doing well next year.

“I spoke to the team a lot after the race at Laguna Seca where I did just the one race and they were pleased with the feedback I was able to give and the lap times. I hope it’s the start of a great couple of years.

“I took the decision to sign to ride in America because the offer of a ride in World Superbikes with Ten Kate was barely that – an offer. There were absolutely no guarantees with Ten Kate and I wasn’t prepared to hang on and risk getting nothing.”

Neil Hodgson will test the 2007-spec Honda Fireblade for the first time in a matter of weeks.

The 2008 bike will be ready for testing later this year.