NEIL Hodgson admits that he will feel 'very sick' at the start of the World Superbike Championships this weekend in Valencia -- but his new 'hard man' image should see him through.

The 27-year-old Burnley rider's slogan last season was 'No more Mr Nice Guy' as he clinched the British crown in dramatic fashion in the final race of last season.

The GSE Ducati rider felt that in his earlier venture into the world event -- in 1997 as four-times World Champion Carl Fogarty's Ducati team-mate and the year after with Kawaski -- he wasn't mentally tough enough.

But now he's got a win-at-all-costs philosophy -- to go with his new look shaven head.

"To be honest, it's all about confidence. Results have bred confidence," admitted Neil who now lives in the Isle of Man.

"When I last competed in the World Championships, I finished 11th and 12th which really wasn't that bad.

"It wasn't like I was 40th or something!

"But I wanted to be higher and that is the aim this time.

"When I dropped back onto the British scene, I started winning and I regained my confidence.

"It wasn't that I was more aggressive or dirtier on the track, I just felt better.

"I rediscovered what it was like to win as I hadn't started racing just to make up numbers!"

But the nerves will get to him -- only briefly -- as he lines up on the start line at the weekend in Spain.

"I will feel very sick at the start but it is all worth it when you finish and you've done well.

"Everyone pats you on the back and says 'well done' and you're the man!"

Neil's had a taste of world success with two victories as a wild card entry into the World Championships last season at Donington Park and Brands Hatch.

"That is one reason I feel much better going into the World Championships this time," he continued.

"I know I have nothing to fear.

"If I hadn't competed as a wild card, I may be wondering what I am up against but with two victories, I know what it is all about and know I can win a world event."

Early practise has proved a mix bag so far for Neil.

In South Africa on the Kyalami circuit a couple of weeks ago, he broke the lap record, pipping current World Champion Colin Edwards and was two seconds faster than Fogarty's lap record.

But practice in Valencia more than a week ago proved more disappointing.

"It didn't quite go to plan but the good thing was we knew what had gone wrong -- it was both the bike and me.

"We knew what the problems were so it meant we could solve them.

"It would have been more worrying if everything was 100 per cent and it had gone badly."

This weekend's Spanish circuit is Neil's least favourite of the 14 courses he will compete at over this season.

"It's a modern one and and these are usually full of twists and turns and you have to go round the bends in first or second gear.

"I prefer those with fast flowing bends. The Valencia one is slower and it's harder to use power."

But despite the speed and daring on the courses, Neil does not live in fear of having an accident -- despite knowing Fogarty's crash in Australia last year broke his arm and ended his Superbike career.

"I think what happened to Carl was a freak accident.

"To be honest, the circuits I will be on this year will be a lot safer than the one's I was riding on for the British Championships, because of the different regulations. So I will feel safer.

"There are probably six or seven circuits in the British championships that you definitely did not want to fall off on.

"But the World tracks are much safer although obviously you don't want to make a mistake on any!"

Neil, at the moment, daren't look past this weekend's first race with the circuits coming thick and fast after that.

"I'll tell you how I feel once the first race is out of the way.

"My hope for this season is to be a consistent finisher on the podium. If I achieve that, I'll be happy."