by Julian Shea

If anyone is capable of handling the jump from World Superbikes to MotoGP racing, surely it would be the reigning World Superbikes champion.

Hodgson has spent much of this season looking to the heavens

Or so you'd think.

But at the halfway stage of his first season back in top-flight racing in nine years, Neil Hodgson admits it is proving a much taller order than he expected.

Riding for the D'Antin Ducati team, he did not enter the season expecting to be among the pacemakers.

And with just one top-10 finish so far this season, at Assen, that is certainly how it has turned out.

"It's nine years since I did blue riband class, so it's not stood me in good stead at all - the bikes have changed so much, it's like another world. I feel like it's my first year," admits the Lancastrian.

"There are 16 events, six on tracks I've never been to, and five of the others I've not ridden for nine years, so it's a bit of a learning year. "

Despite the re-baptism of fire, Hodgson refuses to let his disappointing results get to him and hopes the support of the home fans at this weekend's British Grand Prix might turn things around.

"When you're at this level, the 24 riders on the grid are all so good. Everyone rides at 100% level every weekend, so home advantage doesn't really count any more," he says.

I talked about a three-year plan because I thought this year would go better, but going on the year so far, maybe it should be a 15 year plan.

"But support helps keep your chin up - when you're feeling down and it's going wrong, the fans help you keep going."

Hodgson always said this would be a difficult year and that he had a three-year plan for his assault on the world title.

But the lessons he has learned have been harsher than anticipated.

"I talked about a three-year plan because I thought this year would go better, but going on the year so far, maybe it should be a 15-year plan," he says.

"If I'd been finishing in the top 10, I could say things were according to plan and on track, but it's not.

"But I've been in this situation before and I know how things change in races, so I'm staying optimistic.

"If things go wrong, you try too hard, which means you end up going slower and it becomes a vicious circle.

"I need to talk to myself and remind myself I can ride a bike pretty well and get it back on track."

The record books and trophy cabinet prove Hodgson can ride a bike pretty well. Surely it is only a matter of time before his results back this up.