NEIL Hodgson could not be better prepared to continue his climb up the World Superbike Standings writes Neil Bramwell.

The Burnley rider has spent his week-long break in Italy, in the build-up to the eighth round at the Misano Circuit on the Adriatic Coast, by scaling a stone wall.

The 27-year-old is the latest recruit to the growing band of riders to be hooked on rock climbing.

Ducati factory rider Ben Bostrom was the ringleader, and spent a night in Australia clinging to a ledge in freezing temperatures when his plans went wrong.

Since then, World Champion Colin Edwards has caught the bug, while championship leader Troy Bayliss is another disciple.

And, with many of the riders taking the chance of a few days of luxury before battle again commenced today, Hodgson and his girlfriend Kathryn were . . . roped in!

However, while Hodgson has spent the rest of his time lounging by the hotel pool, the cash-rich Ducati, Honda and Aprilia teams managed to squeeze in a two-day test at the circuit.

That inevitably means those riders would have a slight advantage when practice started today.

But Hodgson also knows the circuit well and a more crucial factor come Sunday's two races could again be the fact that he is using Dunlop tyres.

Troy Corser, also using Dunlops, won both races last year on a track that does not usually favour Michelins.

"Corser and Edwards went well in the test but they will have had qualifiers in to do those times, so they do not really mean anything," said Hodgson.

"And I know the Misano Circuit pretty well because we used to test here a lot when I rode for Ducati. But it has changed since I was last there in 1998, when I was riding for Kawasaki.

"It's a bit like Phillip Island for me. I quite like the track but I have never had a good result there. But hopefully we can break the curse.

"Success in Misano is important for Ducatil. The factory teams test there regularly still, so we have all the data to make the bikes work around the circuit.

"And it is a similar layout to Lausitzring, so we don't need to make too many changes. But, unlike in Germany, tyre choice shouldn't be as much of a gamble," he said.

The GSE rider enjoyed probably his best place of the season in the previous round when he almost beat Bayliss on the final lap of a wet race.

And while Hodgson still trails his former team mate by 74 points, he has shown in recent races that he has the ability, and the bike, to pose a podium threat at each venue.

Now consistency will be the key if Hodgson is to achieve his immediate goal of overhauling Corser 32 points ahead in third place. NEIL Hodgson could not be better prepared to continue his climb up the World Superbike Standings writes Neil Bramwell.

The Burnley rider has spent his week-long break in Italy, in the build-up to the eighth round at the Misano Circuit on the Adriatic Coast, by scaling a stone wall.

The 27-year-old is the latest recruit to the growing band of riders to be hooked on rock climbing.

Ducati factory rider Ben Bostrom was the ringleader, and spent a night in Australia clinging to a ledge in freezing temperatures when his plans went wrong.

Since then, World Champion Colin Edwards has caught the bug, while championship leader Troy Bayliss is another disciple.

And, with many of the riders taking the chance of a few days of luxury before battle again commenced today, Hodgson and his girlfriend Kathryn were . . . roped in!

However, while Hodgson has spent the rest of his time lounging by the hotel pool, the cash-rich Ducati, Honda and Aprilia teams managed to squeeze in a two-day test at the circuit.

That inevitably means those riders would have a slight advantage when practice started today.

But Hodgson also knows the circuit well and a more crucial factor come Sunday's two races could again be the fact that he is using Dunlop tyres.

Troy Corser, also using Dunlops, won both races last year on a track that does not usually favour Michelins.

"Corser and Edwards went well in the test but they will have had qualifiers in to do those times, so they do not really mean anything," said Hodgson.

"And I know the Misano Circuit pretty well because we used to test here a lot when I rode for Ducati.

"But it has changed since I was last there in 1998, when I was riding for Kawasaki.

"It's a bit like Phillip Island for me. I quite like the track but I have never had a good result there. But hopefully we can break the curse.

"Success in Misano is important for Ducati.

"The factory teams test there regularly still, so we have all the data to make the bikes work around the circuit.

"And it is a similar layout to Lausitzring, so we don't need to make too many changes. But, unlike in Germany, tyre choice shouldn't be as much of a gamble," he said.

The GSE rider enjoyed probably his best place of the season in the previous round when he almost beat Bayliss on the final lap of a wet race.

And while Hodgson still trails his former team mate by 74 points, he has shown in recent races that he has the ability, and the bike, to pose a podium threat at each venue.

Now consistency will be the key if Hodgson is to achieve his immediate goal of overhauling Corser 32 points ahead in third place.

LATEST STANDINGS: Bayliss 205pts; Edwards 182; Corser 163; Chili 143; Hodgson 131