Hodgson rode in American superbikes in 2005

The former world superbike champion, who was left without work when Ducati stopped racing in America at the end of 2006, replaces injured Shinichi Ito.

"I want to ride as soon as I can," he told MCN. "No matter how much training you do, there is no substitute for doing laps and I'll do lots in testing.

"It's is a great chance to get dialled in and if the need arises to substitute for somebody, I'll be ready."

The Burnley rider, who won his title in 2003, saw his chances of racing this season finally finish when Carl Fogarty's world superbike team did not enter this year's championship and the funding could not be found to run year-old Ducatis.