Hodgson crowned World Champion at Brands?
 

Here's a thought. If Hodgy does the double at Brands on 27th July and Xaus scores 22 points or less then we have a new British World Motorcycle Champion!

Blimey Henners, you bored or something?

COME ON XAUS get the double over Hodg

Here, here. Or Frankie! Or how about Steve Martin Adam?

Better still Toseland!
 

That WOULD make it interesting.

:ninja:

Even better Walker. Or even Shakey if he gets a wildcard.

Have to say that even if he does win it there it must be a hollow victory,you can hardly call him a WORLD champion.
I f he gets a ride in moto gp because of this year i will be one ****ed off Ducati fan.
He hasn't had any real rival to race against.
I hoped and prayed that Walker would settle onto the bike a lot sooner but i don't think the Ducati suits his riding style,lets hope that Xaus has found a setup for the front end that he likes.
He said that he was having trouble getting any feel from the front of the bike but after the last two races i hope he has this sorted and will win everything from now on and beats hodgson to the title.

Hmmmmm...
 

So let me get this straight. Opinion so far is that a british guy, regarded by all as an excellent rider, whose come back from the wilderness and proved himself on last years machines, decent guy who has time for the fans and who rides a Ducati, would not be a popular world champion with the members who have responded so far to this thread.

What do the rest of you think?

Henners just because he responds to the fans doesn't make him a world champion.
I will give you this he has won the Ducati cup if he wins this year.
Besides how many races did he win last year when Bayliss and Edwards were in the championship.?
He has been riding for years,he was a factory rider with Ducati before and he was up against real competition then and he did nothing.
I will be the first person to cheer him on if he had some competition but he hasn't.
Bayliss and Edwards were true world champions.
If Hodgson get's a ride in Moto gp he will go backwards.
He will then be up against around fifteen world champions,and can you honestly tell me he will win races in gp's.?
Also about last years machines, they were full factory supported bikes.
At the start of a race he would get away and as soon as one guy got past him he crumbled and went backwards.
I'm not saying he is not a good rider but he has not done enough to prove to me his a world champion.
Even if he wins the title like i said it must be a hollow victory.
Just my opinion.:roll:

Wrong Henry!
 

Few (only 1?) of the replies have said they'd not like Hodgy to be world champ! Most have been to say that someone else winning this weekend would be nice to see and that it would also go one step closer to opening the championship up a little.

basically he is doing all that can be expected of him, he has gone out and built a sizeable championship lead and now no longer has to win every race. Its not so different from moto GP where Rossi (and before him Dohan) runs away with the Honda cup.
Very few riders have lapped faster on a 999 (just Xaus occasionally)., having to turn up at most race tracks with very little in the way of set-up data. Who is to say that if Edwards was still in WSB on a SP2, Hodgson on a 999 wouldn't be beating him.

I agree that he is doing all that is expected of him but the point is,who is his competition.?
Xaus has proved that if he manages to stay on the bike nobody can look at him.
There is a reason nobody (apart from Xaus)has gone quicker than Hodgson on a 999.
Nobody else races them yet.
Ducati don't make 999rs's for anyone yet.
Even next year the only other team that will be racing 999's next year will be GSE.
If they are still racing world superbike.
Even they are getting fed up with the championship.
It's difficult getting sponsors in the first place but keeping them interested in a championship that is dying a death is very difficult.
GSE realise this and are now trying to move to gp.
Granted nobody can say that if Edwards was still in superbike Hodgson wouldn't win,but who is to say that he would win.?
He didn't do much against him last year.

Just surprised really at the reaction Hodgson seems to get on this board. Generally appears to be ambivalent or hostile.

My view of him changed in 2000 when he stalled on pole at round 13 of BSB at Olton, then road the wheels off it from the back of the grid to win by a clear margin. Realised then he had star quality. As for this year I thing the racing in WSB has been far closer and more exciting than last year - Leguna Seca was unbelievable as was the second race at Silverstone - Moto GP is becoming a boring procession.

I haven't forgotten that Hodgy beat Bostrom and Xaus on Dunlops and a year old bike in 2002 and took it to Bayliss and Edwards a few times when it was recognised that the Michelins (and machinery) they had were in a different class. He's on the number 1 bike because he's the best rider in WSB and because he's earned it.

He now appears to be the best British hope for Moto GP - shouldn't that delight us?

I like him more now than I did last year. But I just find he whinges a bit (like Hizzy) which I hate in a racer. If a result doesn't go his way he moans about the tyres or how the front is cr*p or something.

You look at Toseland or Walker and they just get on with it. Perhaps their expectation levels are different. I don't know.

I certainly would have hailed Bayliss as a 'virtually British' world champ!

Also just to say, I think it is just him I don't like. I like your sort of 'having a laugh' and 'loving every minute' sort of racer. Like for example Shakey Byrne/Troy Bayliss. They are just having a crack and feel like they are the luckiest people alive because they get paid to ride motorbikes.

Hodgy just seems like he is not necessarily enjoying it - although since the WSB competition for wins has hotted up (last 3 rounds really) he seems to be enjoying it more.

Go Hodgson... for christ's sake lets get behind this guy, my son and I met him a couple of years ago and he was more than happy to talk and have his photo taken.... more than can be said for some. I for one (and my son) will be rooting for Hodgson

Ah! that age old issue....."Brit Knockers" if you will pardon the expression. The history book records who was the champion not the manner in which it was done.

If it was a popularity contest who would catch Chili or Walker??

You also need to bear in mind the major influence tyres have on things.
DangerXaus is without doubt the most spectacular rider out there, he now has front tyre he is happy with. (maybe Lavilla who has been spectacular spinning the bike up from time to time)

Where is Ben Bostrom now?, in 2001?? he had 5 wins on the trot then then job fell apart.

Ray

And what nice knockers they are too...

Seriously, if it were Walker or Toseland about to win the WSB I would be over the moon but it isn't so I won't be cheering if Hodgy wins, even if he is really a lovely bloke!

I think the problem here is that there just isn't anyone under the current rules to challenge him/ducati...

Hodgson is a nice guy, but I agree that when he was being overtaken by the likes of Bayliss, Edwards, he couldn't get back past them and away... you could sit here and argue tyres, engines etc, etc all day... look at Laguna, Chilli winning on a two year old bike !!

Since GP became a 4 stroke game, everyone teams/manufacturers/riders all want to switch, and that has left WSB thin on the ground...

I'd love to see him win, but where then?, I'd love to see him have a crack in GP, but I honestly don't think he has that final 5% to challenge any of the big names.

Also what may or may not be of interest.... whilst riding for GSE his only WSB wins were on UK soil.... no other circuit. Whereas GSE have won a race this year with Toseland outside of the UK...

If anything, I imagine that Neil will win, no probs, Stalker won't do much at Brands (he doesn't like it that much), but Xuas and James will be the guys to watch, maybe Shakey or even Kagayama if Suzuki wildcard in.

[Edited on 18-7-2003 by jpmercer]

you had it right Hog, last year he blamed his tyres all the time, granted the interviewer asked the question "what went wrong" i did'nt have the right tyres on" thats all he said.
Ray. "British Knockers" to me it does matter HOW the championship was won, to see a non carisma (sp) bloke winning even if he is BRITISH means sod all, i would rather watch Bruce Forsythe on a duke comming last, at least he would be entertaining both in his riding and his after race speach.
All this get behind your fellow British rider,bo**ox I will cheer on any nationallity on what ever bike, as long as he is entertaining.

Hog, yes come on STEVE MARTIN, what a lovely looker of a duke. WHAT HE'S NOT BRITISH???

Ray,i am not a brit knocker.
In my first post if you check i said i had hoped Walker would settle onto the bike better than he has but it doesn't seem to suit his riding style.
I just don't think Hodgson is the best thing since sliced bread and just because he is british i don't think i should automatically be a fan.
Hodgson in my opinion is an overrated rider.
I am not sying he is not a good rider but,
It is only since he has been on Ducati's for the last few years that he has actually won anything.
Let's not forget he has already been a factory Ducati rider and ridden in gp's, and he did nothing.
The question i have to ask and if everybody can give me an honest answer i will be happy.
Hodgson wants to race in gp next year to test himself against the best in the world,who here thinks he will honestly have a chance of winning a race never mind a championship.??
Bayliss is struggling and Hodgson is not as good a rider as Bayliss.

Honestly - top ten if he's lucky.

you said it all 955, hodg is in for a shock if he gets into GP's.

Well ... we - who couldn't ride one lap at race speed on Hodgy's 999 - will have to wait and see ;)

Crikey :o, I mean WTF. Henners et al are spot on in wanting Hodgy to win the title. It is all about that deep seated patriotic feeling whenever a Brit does well no matter what he/she does. Sorry if I don't understand, but isn't Xaus on a same spec machine?

I am also a fan of just about everybody that races a bike no matter what nationality, what championship or what country. I just love it all. It is just that few percent that give a little extra that makes you want to cheer them on whether they wave whilst crashing or give humourous pre/post race comments. This is merely my point of view as are all yours are, but please respect what others feel, sometimes it is good to talk ;)

For a start, last season Hodge was on year old machines, and beat 2 factory riders, plus the pril. Lavila has proven to be a good rider on the Gixxer. Xaus, well okay when he's on it, frug me he's on it. Chilli has proven to be a front runner, and still a class rider. Lagoni has proven his salt in supers. Oh, and i seem to remember couple times Hodge beat Bayliss or Edwards.

Okay, i admit Hodge is what i would say is down graded with talent, but still a world champion.

Same could be said about Sheene really. Ago and read where at the end of their careers, Roberts and mamola were not there yet. Did anyone **** Sheene off?? Did the fruck.

Now, gents, why not get behind ENGLISH DUCATI works rider. Although be boring at Brands if Hodge gets the title now. Rather see Tose and Xaus give him a run for his money. Gixxer is getting there.

As for Hodge in GP's, think same applies as Bayliss, will take some time, but if hodge goes 2 GP's on the duke, i hope he gets same spec bikes as the Corsa squad. And i'm sure he'll prove himself worthy. And if he goes into GP's, then good luck to him, be good to get behind an ENGLISH rider in GP's.

Nah! I'll be backing Walker/Toseland/wildcards and Xaus who is either on it or off it (despite Rattler's help).

If Hodgson wins I won't be unhappy but won't make my day either. Would be same whatever nationality he was or I was.

Why Hog?

Is pleased Toseland doing well, English star of the future?

Just don't particularly like Hodgson. Sure he's lovely and cuddly but just MO. Same as I never liked Fogarty and would not cheer him on either.

Just one of those things. Some people you like and others you don't. As I have already said I think Shakey Byrne is brilliant both as a rider and as a personality. I hope he moves to WSB at some point cos he will be a great future hope for world champ.

Lovely and cuddly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hog, was it you who said your staying Sunday night at brands?

I am. Maybe I'll pull....

some cows udders.......

Only if I drink all the beer that I take with me...:lol::lol:

best be home brew!!!!!! I feels drunk already!

:lol::lol::lol: