With a fastest lap so far of 127.257mph, Gary Johnson currently occupies tenth place on the Superbike leaderboard but the Lincolnshire ace is confident of getting closer to the front come race day.

The GBMoto Kawasaki rider missed out on a full session on Tuesday evening when he stopped at Ballaugh on his opening lap with a swingarm problem and has been playing catch up to his main rivals ever since.

And with a number of new variables compared to previous seasons - the squad are in their first ever year at the TT - it's very much a case of work in progress with the ZX-10R Superbike.
 
"The TT's obviously very different to the North West 200 and I'm just trying to get the bike to ride the bumps that bit easier at the moment, particularly at the rear. It handles well and the power's good but the severity of the bumps is just kicking me around a bit more than I'd like,” said Johnson, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“To lap at over 127mph from a standing start first time out shows the potential of the bike and while I know I can lap quicker as the bike is now, the aim is to improve the bike so that I can do the lap time easier. As soon as we improve the bike, I can go quicker and get closer to the front boys.
 
"Yes, we've encountered a few issues so far this week but the team are working tirelessly for me and I can't thank them enough. Every time I come in, the boys make the changes and the bike improves so I can't thank them enough. They're helping me move forward all the time and it's without doubt the happiest I've ever been with a team."
 
Johnson has been concentrating all his efforts on the Superbike and has yet to get out on his Superstock mount although his lap last night of 124.307mph on the Mar-Train Yamaha places him fifth on the Supersport leaderboard.