NEIL Hodgson will be looking to extend his huge 122-point lead at the top of the World Superbike standings when he takes part in round nine of the championship at Brands Hatch over the weekend.

The Ducati Fila rider extended his advantage over Ruben Xaus after taking two second places at Laguna Seca earlier this month.

Next year Hodgson is poised to follow his former Superbike rivals Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards and switch to the MotoGP series. He said: “I wouldn't want to end my career like Carl Fogarty did, never having been measured against the best in the world. And to do that you've got to go to MotoGP.”

Hodgson will be hoping to go out on a high with his second World Superbikes victory at Brands, having previously won in 2000. Free practice and qualifying takes place on Friday and Saturday, with two races going ahead on Sunday afternoon.