With Carl Fogarty's retirement and Walker's recent defection to the Grand Prix circuit, the British challenge in World Superbikes for 2001 is spearheaded by Neil Hodgson, who is a strong contender for the championship in his rookie season. This book is a diary of Neil's season from the Spanish round in Valencia on 11 March 2001 to the final round in Misano, Italy in late September. It features the highs, the lows, the crashes, the triumphs, the flash points - everything about the high-octane world of professional Superbikes that makes the sport such a global attraction. How does Neil cope with the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the World Superbike circus, and the weight of expectation that accompanies stepping into Carl Fogarty's shoes? Who are his friends and enemies on the circuit? What is the nature of his relationship with his mechanics, Ducati team-mates, and the media? And can anything rival the thrill of racing and winning on high performance motorbikes? Neil provides the answers to all these questions and more. The book is a revealing portrait of a year inside World Superbikes as well as an intriguing insight into the mind of one of the sport's brightest prospects.