BURNLEY'S Neil Hodgson is back on his bike and off to America this weekend to test the Corona Honda Fireblade.

And the former World Superbike Champion will take to the grid at the Laguna Seca AMA Superbike round on July 20-22, supporting the US GP.

The 33-year-old was on his way to Cadwell Park to test the Rizla Suzuki when he was contacted about the opportunity to go Stateside.

And he admitted he had no hesitation in agreeing to the ride.

He said: "I've got a lot of contacts in the States, having raced there for Ducati in the AMA series, and I asked some time ago about the possibility of having a test on the Honda.

"It was a long time ago, before I even did the Ducati GP test rides last month.

"As I was travelling to Cadwell, I got the call to offer me the opportunity, not just to test the bike, but also to race it at Laguna.

"They told me I had to make my mind up quickly so I pretty much agreed on the spot."

The Fireblade has been labelled the "test mule" and has been ridden by Josh Hayes in private testing, although it is to be rebranded as a Corona Honda for the Laguna race, the same team that Brit James Ellison rides for.

Meanwhile, Hodgson's testing last week got off to the worst possible start when the racer was struck down with food poisoning on the first day.

However, he was still able to record a best lap of 1:28.4 (Leon Haslam's lap record is 1:27.70) on what was the first time he had raced a four-cylinder superbike since 1998.

He added: "On the first day I was sweating after five laps.

"I'm absolutely knackered now, which is not like me at all, but I'm really happy with what we've achieved and how I rode."