Supermoto racer Chris Hodgson believes 2015 has been his toughest year of competition after racing to his 10th British Championship.

The 27-year-old from Maryport was pushed to the very end in the 450 elite class as he beat Matt Winstanley on the final day of the season at Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park race track.

Although it’s his 10th Championship, Hodgson says this year’s competition has been his toughest test.

“It might be my 10th but it’s as close as it has ever been,” he said. “I had to win all three final races and this year is probably the toughest I’ve had.

“It’s been a rollercoaster season.

“I broke my wrist in the first round of the season and then I crashed in a race in Australia and broke my hand, forcing me to miss a round over here.

“In the standings you’re able to drop your worst round from your final total so, without that, I didn’t have any sort of cushion and had to perform well in each round.”

To guarantee his 10th Championship, Hodgson had to win each race ahead of rival Winstanley.

Hodgson won four of the last three rounds and eventually finished just three points ahead of his title rival on a total of 772.

Supermoto is raced on a circuit that alternates between flat track, motocross and road racing using purpose-built motorcycles.

“Racing conditions were great on Saturday but there was a bit of rain the night before,” Hodgson added.

“It was so close in the second race and I only won by one two-one-hundreths of a second.

“In the last race I was trailing Winstanley on the last lap.

“He passed me and I saw the flag which told us it was the final lap, so I made a move on him and took the lead.

“He came over to me at the end and congratulated me, saying it was a fair move and he’d have done the same.”

Despite winning his 10th title three weeks before his 28th birthday, Hodgson insists there is no chance of giving up racing.

“I’m not going to stop. I’m going to Malaysia in a few weeks time and I’ve been invited to an event in Australia in 2016.

“I’ve raced on some great tracks this year, but the one at Newcastle Harbour in Australia has been the best.”