NEIL HODGSON

NEIL Hodgson is looking forward to a productive future in MotoGP after turning his fortunes around with two superb results.

The World Superbike champion from Burnley found life in motorcycling's top class difficult going at the start of the season but he has found his feet and is beginning to show what he can do.

Hodgson finished 10th and 11th at Donington Park and Brno respectively on a D'Antin Ducati bike which is far from the class of the field.

Now the Lancastrian heads to tomorrow's Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril hopeful of providing more proof he deserves a ride for 2005.

He said: "I've never been to Estoril and I'm looking forward to it. I've got a bit of momentum going with the results at Donington and Brno and my injured rib feels better.

"I want to improve on those 10th and 11th places in the last two races - things are getting better all the time.

"There are six more races in a pretty short space of time and I aim to keep my head down with some more points-scoring rides. Things look promising for next year."

Another newcomer to MotoGP, British Superbike champion Shane Byrne, will not get that chance this weekend.

The Londoner dislocated his wrist in a frightening accident in practice for the Czech Grand Prix two weeks ago and must sit out the trip to Estoril as he recovers.

The Aprilia rider said: "I hope that the wrist will be okay to race at Motegi in a couple of weeks' time.

"My wrist is still in plaster but I hope to get the cast off and start some laser treatment later this week. I was pretty beaten up after the crash and have spent some time in Spain resting up."

British riders have been in the wars this season and Chris Burns is no exception.

The luckless Geordie was replaced by James Ellison at Brno but will return to the saddle this weekend after his wrist problem.

The Harris WCM rider said: "My wrist is okay but still very sore under heavy braking.

"I gave it a test on a bike earlier this week. I'll go down to Estoril and get some treatment from Dr Costa and go from there."