Motorsport: James Lodge has set his sights on a ‘winning’ season

Jun 17 2010 by Peter Barrow, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Motorsport: James Lodge has set his sights on a ‘winning’ season

WINNING is all that matters in most sports, but the urge to be first across the line is huge for Huddersfield racer James Lodge this year.

The University of Manchester student became the British 125cc Superbike champion last year, but he is determined to put to rest an irritating statistic in the 2010 competition.

“It is important that I defend the title successfully, but I really want to go out and win every race I can this time,” said Lodge.

“I won only one race last season, and while I won the championship on consistency over the year, it does lead to people saying I wasn’t the fastest rider in the competition.

“So that really has made me focus on getting out there and winning races.”

This season Lodge raced to the top of the championship standings as he changed his habits with wins at Brands Hatch and Thruxton and taking the winning points at the Oulton Park meeting despite finishing second – John McPhee’s win being ruled out for a rules violation.

However, Seel Honda-RS Racing rider Lodge, backed by Huddersfield company Earnshaws Motorcycles, hit trouble in the latest round at Cadwell Park, where two crashes led to a brief spell in hospital to correct a hand injury.

But Lodge is aiming to get himself right back in the groove this weekend as he travels to Silverstone, having taken up a wild card invitation for the Moto GP meeting at the Northamptonshire track.

“It is a big bonus and the extra focus on the GP event hopefully means I may be able to attract interest from abroad,” explained Lodge.

“If I can get noticed then that should open a few doors and I would like the chance to go out to Spain and a few other overseas venues.”

However, the Cadwell setback was preceded just days earlier by a crash in testing at Silverstone where an ankle ligament injury upset preparations.

“To be honest they had been digging up the circuit and the track was covered in mud; I was just unlucky that the bike flipped,” said Lodge.

“I had the ankle injury, but while it was sore I didn’t feel that contributed at Cadwell.

“In practice and qualification I had been fastest in every session and we were looking pretty good, but in the race it just went wrong.

“I think the thumb will be fine for the weekend and it is just a great opportunity.

“I am also looking at riding bigger bikes. Size is becoming a bit of an issue in the 125cc class, and I am hoping that I can break through.”