Ex-British Superbike winner Josh Elliott in racing comeback in Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship at Mondello Park

The Fermanagh man rode in the British Superbike Championship in 2019 and sealed his maiden victory at the opening round at Silverstone on the OMG Suzuki before finishing as the runner-up in race two.

However, he was unable to maintain his impressive start to the campaign and Elliott split from the team in October of that year with two rounds of the championship remaining.

After two seasons impacted by Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021, the Ballinamallard rider has seized the chance to ride a 600 Honda Fireblade in the Supersport class at Mondello Park for AKR Thomas Bourne Racing, joining AJ Carey in the team for the rest of the season.

The 2015 British Superstock 1000 champion is a previous winner in the Masters series in the Supersport class, earning two victories in 2011.

“I have to thank AKR Thomas Bourne Racing for giving me this opportunity,” Elliott said.

“I was surprised when I got the call and now I intend to make the most of my return to the track. I’m really looking forward to racing at the Masters, as it is such a well-run series.

“I’m also looking forward to being back in a racing paddock again, enjoying my racing and seeing a few old faces, as well as getting back to the serious business of trying to get some decent results and hopefully repaying the team with race wins.”

The line-up this weekend also includes Irish road racing star Derek Sheils on the Roadhouse Macau BMW, who is fresh from a solid performance at the Isle of Man TT.

Sheils goes into Saturday’s opening Superbike race among the favourites.

The Republic of Ireland rider was a double winner at the opening round in April and will be a tough nut to crack at the Co Kildare circuit.

Sheils is fifth in the standings after missing the second round, where