Lee Johnston [News] 19th February 2015

Lee Johnston [News] 19th February 2015


Double North West 200 winner Lee Johnston has joined Ryan Farquhar’s KMR/SGS International Kawasaki team for the Lightweight race at this year’s Isle of Man TT.

Johnston won both Supertwin races at the North West 200 last year and stood on the top step in the class at the Ulster Grand Prix, but on Wednesday team boss Farquhar said there were no plans for Johnston to ride in his famous black and orange livery at either of the Northern Ireland meetings.

However, the Hull-based Fermanagh man – who last week confirmed the switch to BMW and Triumph machinery for the Superbike and Supersport classes respectively this season with continued support from East Coast Construction – joins Farquhar, Connor Behan and Danny Webb on the 650cc Kawasaki machines at the TT.

The 26-year-old will line up as one of the big favourites on the ER6 as he bids to complete a full set of international victories in the class.



Johnston, who was crowned Privateer champion at the TT in 2013, has developed into one of the hottest properties in road racing, claiming his maiden international wins at the North West last year and challenging regularly for the podium at the Triangle meeting and the Ulster GP at Dundrod.

And Dungannon man Farquhar, who is stepping up his racing exploits this year with a comeback in the Superbike and Superstock classes on Kawasaki ZX-10R machines, believes livewire Johnston is on the cusp of a ‘big breakthrough’.

“I’m really excited about this year’s TT. I’m putting a lot into my own on track efforts this year and that is a priority for me, but I am also excited to be working with three of the brightest prospects in the sport in Lee Johnston, Danny Webb and Connor Behan,” said Farquhar.

“Lee has shown his class for a few years now and is ready to make the big breakthrough and we are delighted to have him on one of our Kawasaki 650’s for the Lightweight TT where he will start as one of the favourites.”

Former Grand Prix rider Webb made his TT debut last year in Farquhar’s team and continues his association with Ireland’s most successful national road racer ever, while Cheshire prospect Behan is another rider with a bright future, enhancing his credentials with a fine ninth place in last year’s Lightweight TT and securing the Irish Supertwins title.

“Danny is a truly world class rider and was a joy to work with last year. He showed straight away how talented he is with a very strong TT debut and I am pleased we are able to work together again,” Farquhar added.

“Connor has a lot of natural talent and I was very impressed by how well he did at the TT last year. I am sure he will build on that this time around and will continue to progress further up the leaderboard. He is still very young but he has the makings of a great TT career.”

Farquhar, who won the inaugural Lightweight TT in 2012, finished seventh last year with Behan finishing ninth, while Scotsman Keith Amor took fourth on one of the KMR Kawasaki machines.


Courtesy of newsletter.co.uk 19-02-2015