Lee Johnston has confirmed he will ride in next year's British Supersport championship. The Fermanagh rider will team up with Swan Sencat Triumph Racing for the series.

Johnston will partner teenager Freddie Barnes in the Supersport line-up for Ian and Myra Newtown’s outfit.

However, he will not be competing at the North West 200 or Isle of Man TT after confirming he will sit out both road race events.

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The 35-year-old hasn't raced on the roads since suffering life-threatening injuries in an accident during practice at the 2023 North West 200. Johnston sustained injuries including a broken femur, broken shoulder, a break in the foot and face, a number of broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

However, the popular Northern Ireland rider says that 2023 crash is not the reason behind him not competing on the roads next year.

He told the BBC: "The team didn't want to do any road racing. Some people will probably say it's because of the crash but it's not really that.

"I would have to go and part-time ride for another team [to do the roads], which I don't feel ever works out well. If I do get the chance to come back it will be with the same team doing everything to do the job properly."

Johnston added: "In my head I don't think it makes a difference if you miss one year or three. When you do go back you have to have everything correct, which is the reason we're not doing that.

"I know how hard it is to win with a good team. I've no interest in going for the sake of going. I think it would upset me more going and riding but not being competitive, than not riding at all."

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Johnston insists his main focus is on winning races in the British Supersport championship next year.

He said: "I want to get back to winning races. Before the crash I was doing that and that's what I want to do. The main aim is to win races and then see where we are in the championship towards the end of the year."

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