Hodgson back in MotoGP action

The Briton rode a 2007 specification Ducati as he stands in for the injured Shinichi Itoh, the regular Bridgestone test rider who has broken his hip.

Hodgson has not ridden MotoGP machinery since his 2004 campaign with the Pramac D'Antin team, and said he was amazed at the new 800cc prototypes.

"What an easy bike to ride - I'm not joking," Hodgson told autosport.com. "You know when journalists jumped on a 990cc bike, they said that it was actually easy. Well, the 800 seems even easier. The power is more tame all the way through.

"There is a 10,000-rev window of torque from 10 odd to 19 odd thousand revs. On a 500cc bike there was a 2,000rpm window. Because of the electronics now in MotoGP, the power is tamed in first and second gear though."

Hodgson has almost missed a generation of electronics on motorcycles, as the developments in MotoGP are further ahead of the AMA Superbike he rode last year in America.

"Its (800cc electronics) are so good that it's so bad - because it's definitely easier (for the rider). I think it could eventually spoil racing just like it has in F1.

"During the first few laps I just smiled: it's the best bike I've ever ridden."

Hodgson, who tested on Wednesday and Thursday, said that his ride has confirmed how corner speed is vital and that a front end 250 riding style can really be the key to winning races.

"It's (the 800cc formula) designed for 250 riders to come over. What I learned is that you've just got to be confident on the front end. If you can brake really late and carry corner speed you can win a MotoGP."

Team Boss of Ducati MotoGP, Livio Suppo, said that Hodgson will be testing during May at the team's official nominated testing circuit for the summer, Mugello.

As yet there are no plans for Hodgson to ride as a wildcard at the British Grand Prix in June, a plan that would excite Hodgson and further increase attention for the sport in the UK.

Teams are allowed to nominate two test circuits for the winter and summer, Jerez being Ducati's winter preference.

It is against the rules now for a MotoGP bike to test at any MotoGP circuit apart from the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after a MotoGP race, or the aforementioned official test circuit of a team. Oschersleben satisfies the MotoGP rules as the championship does not race there.

These rules have been introduced as a cost and sporting measure after a Yamaha M1 ridden by Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh last year tested at some circuits where Michelin had tyre worries, sometimes testing only a matter of days before the Grand Prix arrived in town.