BRADFORD’S road racer Dean Harrison is set for a long-awaited track return this weekend, after a frustrating year away.

The 2019 Isle of Man Senior TT trophy holder will race the iconic track, Oliver’s Mount in the Spring Cup, which is set to take place over Saturday and Sunday.

Harrison will travel to the Scarborough course as one of the favourites, and although he is thrilled be back, he concedes it may take time to shake off a few cobwebs.

He said: "Definitely. I know the expression is 'it's like riding a bike', but when you're trying to push the boundaries, it's hard to go straight back to them levels.

"It takes a bit of time to get up to speed, so yes it's going to be a bit of a learning curve again this weekend, but hopefully I will pick it up straight away and hit the ground running."

Harrison added: "I'm really looking forward to getting my first race out of the way, and under my belt.

"And I think then I will settle down, relax and hopefully progress from there."

Although the Bradfordian admitted rustiness is possible, his winning mentality still prospers in the lead up to the Spring Cup.

Harrison said: "I will definitely go for the victory, but the plan is to be in the top three at least.

"I have seen the weather forecast too, and I feel the weather conditions are going to be the trickiest part of the course, along with the lack of bike time, but of course I'm going in there to win."

With fans also set to return, the Bradford speedster was quick to highlight the importance of having spectators back.

He said: "I think it's massive that the fans return. I think it's so important that the fans come back to sport in general, whether it's motorbike racing, speedway, football, rugby or cricket.

"I think that we're in a situation at the minute, where people's mental wellbeing is restricted so much, that it's starting to harm people.

"I think it has started to take its toll on people, so we need events to start happening in some way shape or form, just to ensure people can get out of the house, start socialising and see something different happening."

As Harrison prepares to take the stage again, a bittersweet feeling still hangs above him, after a frustrating and difficult year for him personally.

He said: "The year away has been hard.

"When you go from being such a busy person, to almost nothing, it mentally does take its toll.

"I'm never usually at home, whether it's travelling with my family or by myself.

"There is a lot of people in worse situations than I am, so you have to take it on the chin and think there will be an end to this at some point.

"You have to think, be positive and progress from there."