TT2012: Gary Johnson revelling in Island challenge

Lincolnshire's Gary Johnson can't get enough of the spectacular Isle of Man TT Mountain Course.

Johnson, who is riding in the Superbike and Senior races for Clive Padgett this year, says nothing compares to the buzz of riding the most legendary road racing circuit in the world.

He broke his duck at the TT a year ago with victory in the second Supersport race and Johnson wants to experience the same high again on the Island next week.

"The TT is massive and obviously I'm doing the World Endurance Championship this year as part of the Honda TT Legends team," he said.

"I've had a lot of miles on the bike and I've also been riding in the British championship, which I really enjoy, but nothing compares to the TT course.

"It's the ultimate and it's just the best course in the world without a doubt. The buzz you get from riding around at the TT is unlike no other," added Johnson, who competes for the Samsung Honda team in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 series.

"You've got two weeks and then you're not back for another year, so you've got to make it count."

Johnson will ride his own CBR600RR Honda in the Supersport class in addition to the Padgetts Superbike and will also compete for Honda in the TT Legends colours on a Fireblade in the Superstock race.

"Obviously I'm on board with Clive Padgett this year on the Superbike.

They've done all the work on the bike in the workshop getting the bikes ready and I've just been working on my fitness and getting my diet right," he said.

"Riding Hondas isn't a new thing for me and I've had most of my success on Hondas. Clive runs the most successful Honda team in the present day and he knows what he's doing.

"I'm more than happy to just jump on that bike and ride it," added Johnson, whose team-mate in Padgett's famous rainbow livery is Bruce Anstey.

"I know that whatever Clive's suggesting is going to be 99.9 per cent right.

"It's a matter of getting the bikes adjusted for me and if Clive has got a bike that Bruce [Anstey] is happy with, then I'll definitely be happy with it as well."

Johnson has total faith in the machinery at his disposal, but he is under no illusions over the size of the task he faces as he attempts to secure his second TT success.

"Hopefully I'll be able to add to the tally, but I'm not the only one and all the rest of the lads are looking to do the same.

"I think it's going to be one of the toughest years yet and the level of competition in every class is strong," said Johnson.

"I've got really strong bikes under me this year so I think I'm more than capable of standing on the rostrum again.

"Bruce says he focusing on the Superbike race, so that's bad news for the rest of us!"