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HM Plant Honda rider and Eurosport-Yahoo! blogger Glen Richards talks of the winter purgatory experienced by unsigned motorcycle racers.

Most people think that being a professional racer is a fantastic job all of the time. At many moments it is, especially when you are winning and everything is happening easily.

But in October and November, when you are looking for a job for the following year, it is anything but fantastic.

And when you are in my situation, having broken a femur and spent three months in recovery, it is even worse.

You are only as good as your last race and I was really struggling when I came back for the final two meetings of the season.

I've had the worst year of my career, having finished 12th. I've not been outside the top 10 before.

It is a horrible thing to go through, very stressful - much more than people realise. But that is part and parcel of being a motorcycle racer.

I've been racing for 20 years, 10 professionally, and it happens pretty much every year. You are either looking for a new job or to stay with the team you are with.

We still haven't heard anything from Honda about their plans; we are no further down the track. But we are not alone: most teams in the BSB paddock are in the same situation.

Only Stuart Easton and Sylvain Guintoli have been signed - and Guintoli's not even riding in the series next year! To only have a couple signed up as we head towards November is unheard of.

Usually most places are done and dusted by now, with things falling into place for the new season.

I think Honda will look after me, but where I will end up I don't know. I will certainly stay with Honda: they have shown me enough of something to say I will be on board for 2010.

At times things have been quite good. I've enjoyed it and got on well with my crew chief, mechanics and team manager. I feel that I've got unfinished business in BSB.

When the decision has been made, (Honda Racing UK manager) Neil Tuxworth will ring me and let me know, then there will be an announcement in the press.

If they decide to run two superbikes next year I'll certainly be looking to have my bum on one of them.

I had a week off after the end of the season but I'm already back in training. I've got to get my optimum fitness level back.

I don't believe I have to find form as I had that before I broke my leg; I'm not worried about that.

I did a mile in the pool this morning, as I do most days, as well as cycling and going to the gym and all that other stuff. When I first started swimming I was being passed by all the 18 and 19 year olds - now I've graduated to the fast lane!

But I will also be doing as much motorbike riding as I can over the winter to get my leg strong and ready for 2010.

Glen Richards / Eurosport