NEIL HODGSON is hoping that today will mark the end of what has been a frustrating month for Britain's number one Superbike rider.

The HM Plant Ducati/GSE Racing rider goes to the Italian circuit of Misano for the San Marino leg - the eighth round - of the World Championship.

"I definitely feel like things could've gone better in the last two rounds," said Hodgson.

"Unfortunately events conspired to deny me the kind of results that I would have liked but I've put all that behind me now and I'm focusing only on Misano.

"I feel pretty good about this round because it's at a Ducati test track and we have loads of data for it.

"I tested here earlier this month and things went well. Dunlop has been working really hard to give me what I need to try and beat Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards.

"One of the best things about Misano is that there are several definite overtaking areas and you can really make up some ground.

"The downside is that a lot of people crash mainly due to the heat, exhaustion and slippery track surface.

"The race is going to come down to fitness and stamina, but I'm fully prepared for that.

"I took pole position at Misano in 2001 and nothing less will do this time."

James Toseland is equally prepared for the challenge of racing at the 4.06km circuit. He said: "I really enjoyed World Ducati Week here at Misano. It was great to play with my band and be the star of the show, but now it's time to get down to the serious stuff.

"I've done more testing at Misano than anywhere else. I'm beginning to think that it might be my favourite track.

"It's very physically demanding, especially with my riding style, and I have to work really hard to get from one side of the HM Plant Ducati to the other.

"Track conditions can change from day-to-day so it's really hard to predict lap times - mainly due to the heat and the wind that blows sand from the beach all over the place.

"Misano punishes you for even the smallest mistake so I'll have to give it 100 per cent if I'm to make it my best event of the year by qualifying on the first two rows, making a clean start and keeping in touch with the leading group."

Meanwhile, World Superbike Championship leader Troy Bayliss is keeping his fingers crossed that title rival Colin Edwards suffers a poor result this weekend.

Ducati Infostrada rider Bayliss has won 11 races so far compared to just two from his Castrol Honda counterpart. But despite dominating the top step of the podium this season, Bayliss only has a 39-point lead over Edwards - and with 25 points available for a victory the Australian knows he cannot rest easy at Misano.

Bayliss, a double winner last time out in Germany, said: "We're past the half-way point in the championship now and Lausitzring turned out really well, so it's a nice feeling to be here at Misano with good results behind me.

"It's going to be a bit of a change this weekend with the heat, so that is going to make things tough.

"Last year I had a first and second, but I'm sure my main rivals will go well. I have to keep an eye on Colin as always.

"I have to put as many people between me and him as possible. I love winning races and I'll certainly be trying to extend my win total this weekend, but if I can't then I'll take the best result I can get."

But Edwards has warned Bayliss not to expect any favours in San Marino.

"I'm going to be in there, battling with Troy until this title race is over," he said.

"I know this weekend will be tough because I've never had too much success at Misano but that's why I'm here right now - to change that."

Bayliss' team-mate Ruben Xaus finally got his season back on track with a brace of third places at Lausitz, but he confesses Misano is not best suited to his talents.

The Spaniard said: "I always want to win but it's not only up to me. Everyone is coming here to win but for sure Misano is not the perfect track for me.

"The weather will be great and I'll give 100% like I did in Germany so if I get a good result it will be perfect.

"The track is okay but the asphalt is old and quite bad, but it's the same for everyone.

"I'll try to be in the top positions and get as many points as possible to get closer to Hodgson and have a good chance for the last races and try to win there."