Crash denies Hodgson victory.

National 125cc Championship racer Russ Hodgson was left cursing his luck once again when he slid off the Cameron's Castle Eden Honda having just taken the lead at Cadwell Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

In front of a 30,000 plus crowd, Hodgson started from the front row and was quickly in the tail of early leader Christian Elkin amidst the intermittent drizzle that was partially wetting the track.

The 21 year old Horticulturist was about to make his move for the lead when out came to pace car to attend a fallen rider on lap seven but within a lap of the green flag once again, Hodgson edged past his rival and set about building a lead on lap ten of thirteen.

Elkin reeled Hodgson in again and retook the lead only for Hodgson to regain the initiative on lap twelve but as they entered the tricky woodlands hairpin, Russ lost the front end and slid off but gamely remounted to claim ninth place at the flag and with it, another seven championship points.

"I so much wanted to win that race. I knew I was faster than Christian and it was unfortunate that I had to stray a little bit off the dry line to try to pass him. I'm not looking at the points now, I'm going for race wins in these final three races" said Hodgson afterwards.

Irrespective of that, Russ is now within just five points of seventh place in the standings going into this weekend's action at Oulton Park.

Results: 1: Christian Elkin 22:53.082, 2: Eugene Laverty 22:55.727, 3: Midge Smart 22:56.016, 4: Leon Camier 22:56.269, 5: Chris Martin 22:58.617, 6: Brian Clarke 23:06.856, 7: Howie Mainwaring 23:07.342, 8: Kris Weston 23:07.789, 9: Russ Hodgson 23:09.834, 10: Dan Coutts 23:09.926
Championship (after 11/14): Martin 219, Elkin 194, Smart 133, Farbrother 123, Camier 112, Pearson 104, Patrickson 75, Hodgson 70, Walker 62.