BURNLEY star Neil Hodgson, who will join new world superbike champion Colin Edwards at the works Ducati outfit next season, was delighted to have clinched third place in the championship with a fourth and fifth places in this season's final two races at Imola.

Hodgson said: "This was a more satisfactory race than the Imola event last year and a good way to finish the year.

"Third in the championship is a superb achievement for the HM Plant Ducati team and a fitting way for me to complete my fourth year at GSE Racing.

"I'm disappointed to be leaving the team, but would like to thank them for all their support and wish them every future success."

New champion Edwards prepared for a party after completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in the sport's history to pip Troy Bayliss to the title at Imola.

The Castrol Honda rider had lagged 58 points adrift of his Ducati Infostrada rival at one stage during the season, but a string of nine successive race wins put him on top of the world.

The American was crowned champion yesterday at Imola after winning a thrilling battle with Bayliss to beat the Australian twice into second position.

But Edwards was keen to offer comfort to Bayliss after winning back the crown he relinquished to the Australian last year.

"What a day," he said.

"On paper the two race wins were ours, but the job's still got to be done. My team has done a fantastic job, especially when we needed it most.

"I knew what Troy's game was when he got in front and tried to slow the pace so Ruben Xaus could catch up. I had no choice but to get back in front and decide the championship that way.

"Troy's been really good about it. A great guy and he's given it everything when he knew we were in better shape. It's great that it's all over, there's nothing else left but to party."

Bayliss added: "I really wanted to win the championship. I did everything right, and tried to slow Colin down in that second race, but he also wanted to win and he knew what to do.

"I did pretty good, but it just wasn't enough. Whoever won today deserved it so congratulations to Colin."

James Toseland confessed he was "over the moon" to have confirmed his status as a rising star in the series with a pair of hard-fought sixth places.

The Sheffield-born rider clinched seventh in the championship with a mature ride yesterday and he is now full of confidence as he plans to make the step up to team leader when Hodgson leaves HM Plant Ducati in the close season.

FINAL STANDINGS

1 Colin Edwards (USA) Honda 552pts, 2 Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 541, 3 Neil Hodgson (Gbr) Ducati 326, 4 Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Aprilia 278, 5 Ben Bostrom (USA) Ducati 261, 6 Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 249, 7 James Toseland (Gbr) Ducati 195, 8 Pierfrancesco Chili (Ita) Ducati 167, 9 Chris Walker (Gbr) Kawasaki 152, 10 Gregorio Lavilla (Spa) Suzuki 130

Final Manufactures Standings

1 Ducati 575pts, 2 Honda 557, 3 Aprilia 278, 4 Kawasaki 208, 5 Suzuki 147, 6 Benelli 23, 7 Yamaha 16