World Superbikes: Ten Kate look for James Toseland's replacement

Ten Kate bosses are facing one of their toughest decisions choosing who will replace James Toseland in 2008.

Since their World Superbike debut in 2004 with Chris Vermeulen, the Dutch team have been able to transfer their title winning Supersport pedigree to World Superbike and have been running at the front of the class ever since.

In 2007 the team lead the title standings by a massive 66 points with James Toseland and have a high chance of securing their first ever World Superbike crown.

As a result they have no desire in playing second fiddle to the factory Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki squads in 2008 and with a new Honda CBR1000RR next season they need a guaranteed title contender with strong development skills.

One man who has emerged as a potential candidate is out of work, Neil Hodgson, who has done his cause no harm at all at Brands Hatch following two long meetings with the team.

MCN spoke with team boss Ronald Ten Kate about the chances of the 2003 world champion joining his squad as number one rider to replace James Toseland.

He said: “We had meetings with Neil at Brands and he is one of the guys on the list.

“For sure you can speak to riders for a long time about race results but when you get to a certain level and you are talking to riders that have won races and championships then I think it is much more about the person.

For a rider like Neil we don’t have to ask for his CV, because he is obviously a talent.

“Neil has certainly impressed me; he seems like a guy that likes to fight his way out of a corner. He looked like the older brother of James Toseland when he was sat in my office two years ago telling me to give him a chance, to stop talking and asking where the contract is.

“They have been team-mates and although they are different individuals underneath a lot of their attitude is very similar.

“Neil is not the only rider on the list, but after our meeting he has certainly moved higher up it. His ambition not to go to MotoGP is good.

“For anybody coming to the team it would be on be a longer term contract with definite options from our side as long as they fulfil their role in getting results.

“Choosing riders for us has always been about looking them in the eyes and asking them the question – will you be world champion for us, will you deliver?

“This is the task pure and simple – can you do it? If they hesitate then you know the answer and only certain riders have it in their heart and say – yes. We spoke to him and he was pretty up for it.”

Neil Hodgson isn’t the only man in contention for the coveted ride. Ruben Xaus, Carlos Checa and Alex Barros have all emerged as possible options.

The conversations we’ve had with all the riders this weekend is about the person – are they determined enough, do they have the conviction and motivation inside and will they fit in with the team, because we don’t employ arseholes.

“As a team we like to fight with our back in the corner. We don’t always make the easy or obvious choice around here.

“If we find someone that has the ability but maybe hasn’t had the right material or a rider that has had a difficult period with another team then if you give that rider the right bike and environment then you will have a demon hard rider.

“These riders will always lead the fight and this is the sort of guy we are looking for.

“The same can be said for Xaus, he has calmed down now, he has a wife and a child and knowing what he knows now he is no longer the young kid.

“He knows the mistakes he has made and also in the last few years he hasn’t had a proper chance. When you did give people like that a proper chance for sure they will fight hard.”