Lee Johnston is hoping to continue a successful season by adding a Superbike win at the Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix on Saturday August 8. The former Maguiresbridge rider has already topped the podium in both the lightweight and Superstock races at the North West 200 this season and finished in the top three at the TT for the first time, and he now has a Superbike win in his sights.

“We have to go and think about winning the Superbike races,” he said. “I wanted to win a big bike race at the North West and I did that, and I wanted to get on the podium at the TT and I did that twice so it is looking good and if I could go and win a couple of races at the Ulster Grand Prix I would be a happy boy. I am enjoying riding the bikes and it is looking good. If we can keep carrying on as we have been going until the end of the season I will be a happy man. Last year we were on the podium and I have got more confident on the bike this year and have a bit more track knowledge, but it is going to be hard. There is Bruce (Anstey) and Guy (Martin) and William and Michael (Dunlop), that’s the trouble there is too many boys you could mention!” Lee will continue his preparation with an outing at Scarborough this weekend, and he hopes to squeeze in another test before the big race gets underway. The Ulster Grand prix course is recognised as the fastest in the world, but the high speeds hold no fear for Lee and he reckons the track will suit both him and his bike.

“It is my favourite track of the year,” revealed Lee. “I’d race there five times a year if they would let me! It’s quite technical and fast and you don’t have to be as physically big to ride it. There are no big jumps like the TT. Obviously the dangers are all still there but the track itself is a bit more like a short circuit. The bikes have been performing really well, and if anything this should suit my bike a bit more than the TT with it being a bit smoother. We will just have to see how we get on, and the first day in practice we will figure it out.”