Former TT winner Lee Johnston has stated that a return to road racing is unlikely in the near future, though he insists he has not officially retired. The Northern Irish rider has been absent from the road racing circuit since a severe crash during a training session at the 2023 Northwest 200 left him seriously injured.
Johnston had initially intended to make a comeback in 2024 but has faced additional injury setbacks this year. Consequently, he is not racing on the roads and is instead concentrating on competing in the British Supersports Championship. Earlier in the year, he mentioned that his current team, Senkat by the Swan Racing Team, has no plans to participate in road racing events.
In a recent YouTube vlog, Johnston explained that he has no intentions of returning to road racing unless a significant opportunity arises with a different team next year. He highlighted that his team owner, Chris, has two young sons who race, and understandably, Chris does not want to promote the dangers of road racing to his children. Johnston joined the team because it was the best fit for him and allowed him to bring along his mechanic. Although he enjoys his current racing plans, he does not foresee a road racing comeback anytime soon.
Johnston emphasized that he didn’t want to make a dramatic announcement about retiring from road racing — he simply isn’t going back at this point. Recently, he achieved a podium finish at the BSB event at Brands Hatch but had to retire from the second race due to mechanical issues.
In another videolog, Johnston reflected on the challenges of road racing, particularly at the TT. He spoke about the immense physical toll the TT takes on the body and how difficult the British Superbike (BSB) race weekends are to get through. He expressed a wish to illustrate the extreme physical demands of TT racing but conceded that his body is no longer suited for road racing.
Fan Take: Lee Johnston’s cautious approach to his career highlights the harsh realities and physical demands of road racing, reminding fans how unforgiving the sport can be. His decision may influence other riders and teams to reconsider the risks involved, potentially impacting the future landscape of road racing.
