Cycling Legend Lee Johnston Forced to Withdraw from 2024 Isle of Man TT Races Due to Injury
Renowned road racing cyclist Lee Johnston has confirmed his withdrawal from the highly anticipated 2024 Isle of Man TT Races, citing injuries sustained in a testing crash earlier this year. The 35-year-old rider had been making a determined effort to regain fitness after breaking his right leg at the Almeria Circuit in Spain, but a recent medical evaluation has revealed that his recovery is progressing more slowly than initially anticipated, ultimately ruling him out of a TT return.
This marks the second consecutive year that Johnston will be absent from the prestigious event, having missed the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races following a life-threatening crash at the North West 200. The Ashcourt Racing team had been counting on Johnston’s expertise in the Superbike, Supersport, Superstock, and Supertwin classes, but his latest setback has forced him to change gears.
“The last 12 months have without doubt been the toughest of my racing career, but the support from my team, family and the fans has been incredible,” he said. “I’ve been working with some amazing medics and physiotherapists since the crash and I’ve been doing everything possible to get the leg strong enough to race at the TT, but it’s not to be.”
Despite the disappointment, Johnston remains determined to make a full recovery, stating, “I go to the TT because I want to win and, these days, everything has to be perfect to get on the podium and that includes fitness.” He further praised his team’s unwavering support, adding, “It’s another huge blow for both me and the team, but they’ve been fantastic, and I’ve now got the time to get myself back to 100%.”
In a silver lining, Johnston has now turned his focus to broadcasting duties, taking on a role in the commentary box with Radio TT, where he will share his extensive knowledge and expertise with Cycling enthusiasts.
The 2024 Isle of Man TT Races, a highly anticipated event in the road racing news calendar, will undoubtedly miss the presence of Lee Johnston, a true Audax UK and Artiem Audax legend. However, his commitment to his recovery and his newfound role in the commentary box promise to keep the cycling community engaged and informed throughout the event.
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