Roads: Johnston fit for Ulster return

Lee Johnston has confirmed he will be fit to ride at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix after his practice crash at the Isle of Man TT.

The Ulsterman sustained back, tailbone and finger fractures after crashing his Padgetts Racing CBR600RR at Greeba Castle in the closing practice sessione for the 2017 TT.

He was airlifted to Nobles hospital and ruled out for the remainder of the event, but would return to the paddock as a spectator just the next day.

His goals then turned to being fit in time to make a road racing return at next month’s Ulster Grand Prix.

“I always go racing to win and if I’m feeling good and well as hopefully I am then I plan on trying to win a few races at the Ulster,” Johnson said.

“You’re wasting petrol, fuel, tyres and everything if you’re not going with winning in mind. It might not happen but you have to at least set that goal, if you turn up thinking you’re only going to get top five then you’re definitely not going to win.

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“It’s a big relief to be feeling race-ready for Dundrod. Only the people closest to me know that when I was still in the hospital I made a plan in my head this is what I wanted to do and having that goal helped me in recovery, you need to be aiming for something.”

As at the TT, Johnston will race the East Coast Racing Superstock and Superbike steeds while still competing for Clive Padgett, alongside Bruce Anstey and Conor Cummins, on the 600.

“I might be a little bit rusty for the first couple of races until we get going again but the good thing about that is we have the Thursday racing to get back in the swing of it and then I’ll be hopefully be ready for the Saturday,” he concluded. 

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