BRITISH champion Neil Hodgson has one final chance to put the wind up the elite of superbike racing when the World Championship returns to Brands Hatch.

That line-up now includes newly-crowned world champion Colin Edwards after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Noriyuki Haga's points deduction will stand.

Haga tested positive for the banned substance ephedrine after the opening round in South Africa.

The Yamaha star, reported to be moving to the 500cc Grand Prix circuit next year, claimed the drug was contained in a mixture he was taking to help him lose weight.

But the Geneva hearing rejected his appeal and imposed an immediate three-weeks ban.

That rules Haga out of Sunday's final two races and made Edwards the undisputed champion with a 32-point lead, as Haga was allowed to keep the 25 points from the first race. So the scene is set for Hodgson to accept the hero worship of the British fans who have been forced to accept the retirement of Carl Fogarty.

The former world champ will be at Brands Hatch on Sunday to accept a lifetime achievement award from series owners Flammini.

Hodgson, who clinched the domestic title in dramatic fashion last week when Chris Walker's engine blew and whose INS Ducati GSE Racing team are moving up to the world stage next year, said: "It will be the fourth time the team has raced there this year, so we should know what we're doing by now!

"It's great for the fans to have the final round of the World Championship in the UK.

"They always make it a very special occasion and hopefully the British riders will be able to give them something to cheer about again.

"I'll certainly be going all-out for the triple!"

Hodgson will be the man to beat after his first and second places as a wild card when the world championship last visited the Kent circuit in August.

He also enjoyed a stunning race win at Donington back in May in his other wild card show.