Maguiresbridge rider Lee Johnston had a North-West 200 to remember winning two Supertwin races at the world renowned racing event.
Lee, who had previously secured top three finishes at the North-Coast event, went one better in 2014 adding to his growing reputation by taking two race wins; one on the Thursday in the Vauxhall Supertwin and the other on the Saturday in the Anchor Complex Supertwin.
Lee’s North West didn’t start as planned though, with a crash on the first lap of the Supersport race ending his hopes, but the local rider bounced back on the opening day to win the Vauxhall Supertwins race.
Johnston had been on pole for the twins race on his Pirtek Kawasaki and he hunted down early leader Ivan Lintin and passed him on the final lap at Juniper Hill.
“It is great to get my first road North West win and my first road race win, especially after the way the night had begun with the crash.” Johnston smiled.
On the Saturday it was almost a case of deja-vu for Lee as again during the Supersport race he was to crash out. This time it was a coming together between the Maguiresbridge native and Alastair Seeley, race leaders at the time. The 25-year-old again did not let the setback affect him and picked up his second Supertwin win of the North-West, pipping Michael Dunlop, nephew of the late Joey, by two seconds in a thrilling four lap race.
“I really needed that,” Lee admitted afterwards.
“I’ve been walking round the paddock with a long face after what happened in the Supersport race so I really wanted to win this race and pushed hard once I’d got to the front.
“I’ve struggled in the past with the Twin but I love riding it now and the boys in the team have really turned it round for me.”
During the North-West Johnston raced Pirtek liveried Hondas in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport races and a Kawasaki in the Supertwin races at Portrush.
To add to his two wins Lee also finished sixth in the CP Hire Superstock race on the Saturday.
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