From a press release:

World Superbike Championship
Round five: Monza, Italy
Wednesday 8 May 2002
Event preview

Hodgson fired up for round five

HM Plant Ducati/GSE Racing has touched down in Italy for the fifth round of the World Superbike Championship. The northern Italy circuit of Monza plays host to the three-day event where the British team’s riders of Neil Hodgson and James Toseland are hoping to maintain their highly successful run of form. This has earned them third and seventh places respectively in the 2002 championship standings.

The Italian circuit is one of the faster tracks on the SBK calendar and both riders enjoy the many challenges that are encompassed in its 5.79km length.

“Monza is one of my favourite circuits,” claims Hodgson. “Despite a few problems last year, I still managed to qualify second and lead the second race. This year I’m expecting a bit more luck. My chief engineer Roberto Bonazzi has done an incredible job on the HM Plant Ducati, and I have absolute confidence in the machine. This means that I now feel like I can push really hard. In short: I’ve never been looking forward to getting on a race bike as much as I am right now!”

James Toseland mirrors his team-mate’s determined attitude. The 21-year-old from Sheffield has impressed many with his recent performances and sees the current round as an ideal opportunity to build on the commanding position that he has already carved out for himself and the team.

“I’ve yet to have a good result at Monza, but I still always look forward to going there. I’ve made mistakes there in the past but I’ve learned from them and won’t be repeating them this time. The Parabolica curve is one piece of track that I’m particularly looking forward to conquering.”

Team Manager Colin Wright: “Even at this relatively early stage of the season, the whole HM Plant Ducati/GSE Racing team is functioning brilliantly as unit. The HM Plant Ducatis are pulling level with the full factory machinery and I’m really pleased with the way Neil and James are performing. I’ll be expecting nothing less than the best at Monza.”

2001 results
Race one:
1. T. Bayliss
2. C. Edwards
3. A. Yanagawa

DNF N. Hodgson
DNF J. Toseland

Race two:
1. T. Bayliss
2. C. Edwards
3. A. Yanagawa

7. N. Hodgson
DNF J. Toseland

Lap record: 1:48.913 C. Edwards 2001