RACING first came to Imola in 80BC when bigas -- or two-horse chariots -- competed in the ancient amphitheatre.

Today's World Superbike gladiators first visited the arena just a few weeks ago, but it must feel like they have a millennium's start on Neil Hodgson.

His GSE Racing team were unable to attend the test session because of budget constraints.

And, having never competed here, Hodgson was at a considerable disadvantageduring the first day of testing for tomorrow's final two races of the season.

It's a big ask for this modern day bigas rider.

Hodgson's focus is to claw back the 10 points that former world champion Troy Corser currently holds on him in the quest for fourth place.

The Burnley rider put up a spirited start to that quest, finishing the afternoon qualifying in sixth position while Corser, whose future at Aprilia is under the spotlight, languished in tenth and nearly half a second down on Hodgson's best time.

Hodgson profited from a hard morning session, when he was eighth fastest in soaring temperatures, although the weather is expected to break before weekend.

He said: "I rode really hard this morning, did more laps than anyone else because the factory teams did two days testing here.

"It was the same for me at Misano, although at least I knew that track like the back of my hand. So I am probably going to be at as much of a disadvantage here as I have been anywhere all season."

He has, however, found the track to his liking, combining the characteristics of a Brands Hatch, with the history of a Monza.

However, where there is history in motorsport, there is also tragedy and the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna here in 1994 are still fresh in the minds of local fans.

"It's really nice to race somewhere that has so much history, apart from the fact that this where Ayrton Senna was killed. It's what I call a traditional circuit, not like some of the new tracks which are crammed into too small an area," added the Burnley-born 27-year-old.