Isle of Man TT frontrunner Gary Johnson will ride for WK Bikes in the 2014 Lightweight TT.
The Lincolnshire-based team heads to the Isle of Man full of confidence as not only have they got the advantage of a top rider around the Mountain Course, but will also receive factory support for their 650i from Chinese manufacturer CF Moto.
The 2013 Lightweight TT saw Johnson put in a 109mph-plus lap on the team’s development 650cc machine, a bike that is expected to go even quicker this year following improvements in terms of race-specific technical development.
“Although we didn’t come away with any silverware at our first foray last year, we certainly put WK and CF Moto on the TT map,” said Sales Manager for WK Bikes, Henry Maplethorpe. “With that first outing under our corporate belt, we now have the full factory support from CF Moto and so we’re going to the Island with high expectations. Local dyno specialist Chris Gunster has really racked up the hours during the off season, working closely with the team on the bike’s development and we are confident that both bike and rider will be competitive in the 2014 Lightweight class.”
Since his debut in 2007, Johnson has taken one victory around the Snaefell Mountain Course as well scoring multiple race podiums, placing him as one of the leading contenders going in to 2014.
“After getting the chance to ride the CF Moto 650i for a few laps in 2013 on the mountain course circuit, I was pleasantly surprised with its potential,” he said. “As a teams we embarked on a massive development programme over the winter which has seen the race bike move to a far more competitive level. Come race day in June, I hope I can pay everyone back for all their hard work with a result the new bike and team deserve.”
