Honda’s David Johnson will benefit from a new swingarm and linkages for his factory Fireblade at this year’s Fonacab Ulster Grand Prix.

The 36-year-old will be having his first outing on the Honda Racing machines since claiming his maiden podium in the Superstock race and is relishing the prospect.

“I had an awesome TT and we made big improvements with the bikes. It was amazing, better than any race win I’ve ever had and I have gelled well with the team. My stocker was working perfectly,” said the Adelaide rider.

“At the TT my bike was so different to what anyone had ridden in the past few years. We went against the Honda grain and my bike was chalk and cheese compared to Hutchy’s, especially on the suspension settings.

What worked for me didn’t work for other people and we will have new linkages and a swingarm for the Ulster.”

Dundrod has not always been a happy hunting ground for the Australian though. Riding a Wilson Craig Honda in 2016, he crashed at Quarterlands during practice and broke his back.

A year later he bounced back to take a fourth place finish in the Superstock race on the Fleetwod BMW.

“I want good weather and dry roads this year to really enjoy riding around here. The older I am getting the faster I am going.

“I’ve taken great confidence from the TT podium this year and the TT and Ulster are my favourite circuits. The two guys at the front at the moment, Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison, plus Conor, are all setting the benchmark pretty high but I think I can push to be up there at the front with them.

“A podium is within reach at Dundrod. It will be hard and a win would be another step but that’s what we have to work towards with a perfect set up for the bike.”