NW200: Lee Johnston laces up the gloves with Carl Frampton

The Maguiresbridge man is fighting his way back to fitness after a crash at last month’s Scarborough Spring Cup meeting left him with leg injuries, but it didn’t stop him lacing up the gloves to go toe-to-toe with Tiger’s Bay hero the ‘Jackal’.

Johnston has flourished into one of the North West’s top contenders and clinched his maiden big bike victory last year, narrowly holding off course specialist Alastair Seeley and Ian Hutchinson in a red-hot Superstock race.

The General isn’t at peak fitness ahead of Tuesday’s opening practice sessions on the north coast, but Johnston has been inspired by his bout with Frampton in Belfast last week and is determined to ‘go through the pain barrier’.

“It was a privilege to train with Carl, he’s the best in the world and now having been in the ring with him I have a better understanding of just how good he is,” said the Fermanagh pocket-rocket.

“He was only toying with me but to witness his punching power is awesome.

“I’m struggling to be fighting fit for the North West but I’ll go through the pain barrier and give it my best shot.”

Road racing fan Frampton said he was genuinely impressed by Johnston’s performance in the ring and revealed that he intends to visit the North West 200 in the future.

“I was honestly very impressed with how Lee performed in the ring,” said the 29-year-old, who is in training for another world title bout against Leo Santa Cruz in New York in July.

“The last time Lee raced he got hit by a fence at 100mph so getting hit by me was probably easier for him!

“I have true admiration for what the motorcycle road racers like Lee and the Dunlops do. I’ve never been to the North West but it’s on my list of things to do,” Frampton added.

“Lee has asked me to do a lap of the circuit with him - and I’m up for it! I’m sorry I can’t be there this year but I’m training in London for my big world title fight later his summer.”

Johnston has remained in the East Coast Construction/Burdens team this season and will ride BMW S1000RR machinery and a Triumph in the Supersport races.

Johnston and Frampton’s sparring session will be broadcast on BBC N1 on Friday evening at 10.35pm as part of the NW200 preview show.

The race highlights programmes will be broadcast on Sunday evening at 10.25pm and on Monday at 10.45pm.

BBC Radio Ulster will provide full commentary throughout race week on 1341MW.