Neil on his 2003 Works 999

The Hodgson profile

Date of birth: 20th November 1973

Place of birth: Burnley

Home town: Douglas, Isle of Man

Height: 5ft 11ins

Weight: 11 stone

Hair colour: Blond

Eye colour: Blue

Hobbies: Motocross, trials, mountain biking and golf

Favourite food: Italian (Risotto)

Favourite drink: Guinness

Own car: Honda Accord Type R

Own motorcycle: Ducati 996 Biposto, Honda CR125, Montessa 250cc trials bike

First road race: Easter Sunday, Langburgh, 1990 TZR 125

First win: Three Sisters, 1990, TZR 125

Favourite circuit: Laguna Seca

Best moments: Winning World Superbike races at Donington Park and Brands Hatch in 2000

Ambition: To be World Superbike Champion

Likes: All types of motorcycling and winning

Dislikes: Smoking and crashing

Favourite all-time riders: Kevin Schwantz and Michael Doohan

Most respected rival: Troy Bayliss

Helmet: Suomy

Leathers: Axo Sport

Boots: Axo Sport

Gloves: Axo Sport

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2005 Neil moves to AMA

2004 Neil moves to MotoGP with Ducati 

2003 World Superbike Champion

Neil gets a Factory Ride with Ducati in World Superbike

2002

Neil finishes the season in 3rd place, behind Colin Edwards & Troy Bayliss

2001

Saw Neil back where he belongs. GSE Racing's decision to move up to the World Championship was proven to be correct when Neil made fifth place in the world rankings his own. The highlights of his year were a win at Donington Park, a lap record at Misano and numerous pole positions and rostrum placings.

2000

· 1st and 3rd Superbike World Championship, Donington Park

· 1st and 2nd Superbike World Championship, Brands Hatch

· British Superbike Champion with GSE Racing

1999

· 4th in British Superbike Championship with GSE Racing

1998

· 11th in Superbike World Championship with the Kawasaki Racing Team

1997

· 9th position in Superbike World Championship with Ducati Corse

1996

· 10th position in Superbike World Championship with Ducati Corse

1995

· 11th in the 500cc World Championship with Team WCM

1994

· Selected by HRC as one of only five officially supported riders

· Competed in the last two 500cc GPs of the season for Team Shell Harris

1993

· Selected to compete in the FIM World 125cc Championship as the youngest rider in the series and Britain's only representative in the class

· 24th in the FIM World 125cc Championship, having scored points at six Grands Prix

1992

· 125cc International Supercup and British National 125cc Champion

· 9 National/International wins, including 7 pole positions, 3 lap records and 3 fastest laps

1990

· 8th in the British Clubman's Ministock Championship

1986-87

· Voted "Rider of the Year" by fellow competitors

1982-89

· Schoolboy motocross rider