Lee Johnston: Fermanagh rider to make racing comeback at NW200 and IOM TT

Fermanagh rider Lee Johnston will return to road racing in 2024 after sustaining extensive injuries in a crash at last year's North West 200.

The 34-year-old will compete in the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

Johnston was airlifted to hospital and underwent a nine-hour operation on numerous injuries following the crash.

"I'm being realistic about it - this will be somewhat of a rebuilding year but I can't wait to get back on my bike at the TT," he said.

Johnston has completed a number of tests over the winter period and has more planned in the upcoming months before his season gets under way.

He has chalked up five wins at the North West 200 and enjoyed a Supersport victory at the Isle of Man TT in 2019.

Johnston was forced to sit out last year's TT and is looking forward to making his return in June with the Ashcourt Racing team.

He will ride a Honda CBR1000RR-R SP in the Superbike, RL360 Superstock and Senior races, and an Aprilia RS 660 in the two Supertwin races.

"It's never good to miss a year at the TT, but even more so when the weather was as good as it was last year," added Johnston.

"The amount of track time and the sheer number of laps completed saw the game move on considerably. You've got to do 130mph plus now to win a Supersport race which is unreal.

"Obviously I want to do as well as possible, particularly in the Supersport and Supertwin races, but I want to enjoy it as well.

"I've got to let the two weeks come to me and not get frustrated. Everyone else will be quicker than me at the beginning of the fortnight as I've obviously missed a lot of track time, not just at the TT but everywhere else too, and we haven't got any data to go on with the Hondas or the Supersport bike."