BRADFORD motorcycle ace Dean Harrison is enjoying a jam-packed few weeks, with arguably the two biggest road racing events of the year sandwiching his star turn on television.

A strong performance in Norther Ireland at the North West 200 earlier this month, which saw Harrison achieve three podiums, has warmed him up nicely for the Isle of Man TT, which begins next Monday.

And ITV are currently showing a four-part documentary this week called ‘No Room For Error’, which goes behind the scenes of the TT, with the affable Harrison enjoying plenty of camera time.

The 34-year-old told the T&A: “It’s massive for everyone in the sport to have this documentary, and for viewers to see something a bit different.

“It doesn’t bother me either, having a camera in front of my face and being on TV, it’s just something I’m used to.”

Harrison half-jokingly refers to himself as “Wall Dodger”, both in the documentary and in his Twitter bio, but that nickname does highlight the sometimes mortal dangers of road racing.

The Bradfordian said: “People say myself and other road racers are mad.

“But you’re probably more switched on than ever when you’re riding, because of those dangers.

“I do like to have a bit of banter, but at the same time we all know the dangers, you just have to do the best you can to avoid them.”

The Isle of Man provides a unique challenge, but Harrison cannot wait to get back there, having famously won the marquee Senior TT back in 2019.

He said: “I feel good going into it, and the bike feels good too.

“You never know what will happen there though, as it’s about endurance as much as racing itself.

“The plan is just to stay in the mix, be there at the end and see where that leaves me.”

Harrison will be buoyed by the form he showed in Northern Ireland earlier this month.

His three third-place finishes at the North West 200, two in the Superbike format and one in the Superstock, were backed up by coming fourth and fifth in the two Supersport events, as well as fourth in the opening Superstock race on the Thursday.

The Bradford star reflected: “It was nice to be up there but we were unlucky as a team in the two Superbike races.

“Both were red-flagged when we were fighting for the lead, but you can’t do anything about that.

“I like all three classes, but you’re obviously only riding 600CC in the Supersport, where it’s 1000CC in Superstock and Superbikes (minor modifications, including the removal of all stock road equipment like lights and mirrors, mean the Superstock machines are a little slower than the Superbikes).”

FHO racing duo Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes, two of the favourites to win, were unable to compete in the Superstock or Superbikes due to their carbon wheels being deemed ineligible under the North West regulations.

A critical Hickman insisted the North West should follow the same rules as the Isle of Man to avoid such issues.

Harrison reflected: “I agree with Peter that the rules should be the same for both, but these regulations have been in place for years.

“Really then, the only person to blame is whoever on their team didn’t read the North West rules and allowed those tyres to be fitted.”

Harrison endured no such problems, but insisted it was not merely a warm-up for the Isle of Man.

He said: “I definitely treat them as two separate events.

“I give 110 per cent in every race I have too, so nothing is ever really a warm-up.

“I actually really enjoy the North West 200, as it’s quite a unique event.”

Harrison had made a solid start to the track season too, with three points finishes in the opening two meets of the British Superbike Championship.

Round three at Donington Park last weekend did not go as well, as he retired from the first race and did not start the other two.

He will be looking to climb back into the points when he goes again for round four at Knockhill in Scotland from June 16-18.