Lee Johnston will ride for Ryan Farquhar’s team in the Lightweight races at both the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT.

The Maguiresbridge man will partner Hudson Kennaugh on a pair of ER6 650cc Kawasakis for both events which take place in May and June respectively.

Johnston’s bike will be in the colours of the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance, as he looks to repeat his double Supertwin wins in 2014.

It is not the first time Johnston and Farquhar have teamed up. Two years ago Lee rode in the Lightweight race on a Farquhar bike, but after holding a podium position on the final lap he was forced to retire. The deal also covers the TT races, with 27 year old Johnston targeting his first win around the famous 37 mile Mountain Course.

Lee will also be on board a new Honda this season, riding the ex Nicky Hayden Ten Kate Honda Superbike, as well as the Honda Fireblade SP2 in the Superstock classes and a CBR600RR in Supersport races. After a 2016 campaign that was disrupted with a series of injuries, Lee will be looking to re-establish himself at the front of the pack, and he has been happy with how his pre-season testing has progressed.

Johnston, along with Jackson Racing teammate John McGuinness, had the chance to test his new bikes at Monteblanco in Spain, where a closed doors shakedown was held for the full official Honda Racing squad. Following the testing session Lee declared himself happy with the new machinery, and he will be hoping that that his confidence is not misplaced when he takes to the roads on the North Coast for the North West 200 in May.