Bostrom B joins Hodgson

Ducati has announced that Ben Bostrom will partner the already-confirmed Niel Hodgson in the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team that will compete in next year’s AMA Superbike Championship with factory Ducati 999 bikes.

2006 will mark the second season in America’s premier racing category for Hodgson. The former World Superbike champion finished sixth in his debut AMA Superbike season, winning one race at Road America and adding five podium finishes in the 17 race series.

Hodgson said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge in 2006. I know the 999 will be improved and now I understand how to approach AMA. It’s going to be tough to beat Mladin but I’ve studied everything hard this year and I’ve got a plan for how to beat him! I really enjoyed working with Eric and it will be equally great to work with his brother Ben …. It’s just a pity he’s not better-looking!”

Bostrom, who like Hodgson is 31, will ride a factory Ducati Corse machine again after a three-year gap in which he rode for Honda in AMA Superbike and the World Superbike championship. He returns home after one year on the world stage to take the place of his younger brother Eric.

“You know, this year was a tough one on the racetrack” declared Ben. “So I’m real excited to be back with a factory that I’ve had so much success with in the past. We’ve shared lots of good memories, Ducati and I, and I’m looking forward to a strong season together, and to creating new memories with them.”

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