Neil Hodgson and James Toseland are itching to get back on their GSE Racing Ducatis for the final round of the 2001 Superbike World Championship at Imola in Italy. With a maximum of 50 points available this weekend, Hodgson is hoping to wrap up fourth position in the championship and James Toseland is hungry for a better understanding of the Italian circuit.

Since the last round at Assen, GSE Racing has made a formal announcement that both Hodgson and Toseland will again be team-mates in 2002. Hodgson has cemented his commitment to the team by signing a contract right through to 2004.

“I've never been to Imola before but I've been catching up by using my normal method of ‘video revision' to prepare for the last round of the year,” explained Hodgson. “It's a bit like Oschersleben in that GSE Racing is starting at a slight disadvantage compared to the factory teams who tested there last month. However, based on what I've heard from the other riders I believe that the circuit has a lot of character and should suit my style.

“My realistic target for Imola is to secure fourth overall in the series. I was fourth in the British Superbike Championship in 1999 before winning the series in 2000, so it could be an omen! Seriously though, since Corser won the first two races, I have made up ground on him by being a more consistent performer. Although there hasn't been much between us over the last couple of rounds I'm hoping that I'll have an edge by riding the GSE Racing Ducati and that it will be enough to overtake him in the final points standings.”

Rookie World Superbike star, Toseland is well on the way to making his mark as a serious competitor for next year’s series and is looking forward to this weekend’s final round.

“Imola will be a new experience for me - like everything else in my first year World Superbike season,” said Toseland. “I look forward to every challenge I am presented with and this weekend will be no different. I'll be keeping my head down and giving it my best shot, right from the first session on Friday morning.

“I have a lot of people to thank for the help I’ve had this year and I certainly haven't taken anything for granted. GSE Racing has shown confidence in taking up the option of the second year of my contract and my aim is to repay them for their faith. However, I've not even started to
think of 2002 because there is unfinished business to take care of at Imola. I can still achieve my objective of a top ten finish in the championship and I'll be getting my head down and giving it my all to do just that.”