David Johnson to front Chinese TT project

Australian rider David Johnson will compete on a Chinese-made machine in the Lightweight race at the Isle of Man TT in June.

Manufactured by CF Moto, the 650cc machine - the first Chinese bike to enter the TT - will run under the UK brand name WK Bikes.

It was unveiled at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham and Johnson will race the bike in the Lightweight class for Supertwin machines on the final day of TT 2013 on June 8.

The Adelaide-based rider, who made his TT debut in 2010, returned to the TT last year having missed the 2011 meeting.

He earned top 15 finishes in the Superbike and Superstock races and recorded a fastest lap of 125.831mph around the Mountain course.

WK Bikes managing director Henry Maplethorpe said: "We are very excited and proud to be working on the world's first Chinese motorcycle to enter the TT.

"The race is synonymous not only with thrilling riding, but is also recognised worldwide as providing one of the best platforms to launch and develop motorcycles.

"Hampshire Motorcycles will be building, developing and running the bike and they have our full support.

"They are now putting a lot of time and effort into ensuring that the bike will be ready for testing shortly.

"The bikes are produced for WK Bikes in the UK by CF Moto in China who are also showing great interest in the project and its development."

Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Manager, Paul Phillips, added: "The TT is back on the map worldwide and this campaign could well represent the start of a new era in motorcycle racing.

"We originally introduced the Lightweight race to the TT schedule as it represents an affordable way to go racing and already in only its second year it has become an established part of the TT."

Ulsterman Ryan Farquhar won the inaugural Lightweight race at the TT in 2012 on his KMR Kawasaki ER6.