From racing with two broken ankles to almost winning a TT

Mike Browne finished second in 2023 Supertwins race one to secure his first IOM TT podium

Pain. Joy. Disappointment.

Mike Browne has experienced a range of emotions and contrasting fortunes during his relatively short Isle of Man TT career.

The Republic of Ireland rider bravely took his place on the grid in 2022 just over a month after suffering two broken ankles in a crash at the Cookstown 100 road races in Northern Ireland.

A year later he secured his first podium by finishing second to Michael Dunlop in Supertwins race one, then retired while leading race two and seemingly on course for a maiden victory.

Browne made his TT debut in 2019 but the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 versions because of the Covid-19 pandemic meant he had to wait until 2022 to renew his acquaintance with the demanding 37.73-mile Mountain Course, a challenge he was determined to fulfil despite the agony of his double fracture.

"I was cleared to race about five days before but because of my injuries I had to ride the bike differently. I couldn't do what I wanted to do with it," said Browne.

"It was incredibly difficult to get through the two weeks with my injuries and we had to pull the plug in two or three nights' practice as I was in too much pain.

"Before the TT I went to Glasgow to have laser treatment and was in the oxygen chambers, then during the two weeks of the event I had my legs in ice buckets to keep the swelling down.

"After a year of bad weather in 2019 and missing out through Covid I said to a few people that if I didn't make it that year then I was packing it in, I was going to forget about it, but I made it and managed to get laps in, which was beneficial. Results wise, I wasn't really thinking about that," added the Cork man, who clinched a best finish of ninth in a Supersport race.

Mike Browne in action on the Mountain section on his Paton Supertwin at TT 2023

In May 2023, Browne raced at the North West 200 international event for the first time and escaped relatively unscathed from a crash.

"Looking back I came into the North West as a newcomer but I didn't treat it as being a newcomer," said Browne candidly.

"I attacked it from the word go and because it was my first year back fully fit and I had good bikes, and was with a good team [Burrows Engineering/RK Racing] I was like, 'I'm gonna try here', but I got caught out, just tried too hard and almost ruined my TT again, but I got away with it."

Browne's delight at taking a maiden TT rostrum place on a Paton in the Supertwins opener was tempered somewhat by his mechanical breakdown in race two and a number of other frustrating difficulties which blighted his fortnight.

"Being runner-up was a great result but I had a good bike and because of that it was exactly what I wanted and expected.

"Everyone thinks I had a great TT but we had one good result over two weeks and we had big problems with the BMW Superbike and the 600 machine where we had an engine go before the race in the morning warm-up lap.

"It was tough and by the end of the week, by the Senior race I think my head was just gone with everything.

"Initially I blamed the bike but I think the drive had just gone out of me and I had kind of given up with the whole thing.

"My head was down a bit and I just couldn't get what I was looking for."

'If my pace levels off I won't be here'

Browne's introduction to the sport was unorthodox as his family background was in agriculture rather than motorcycling, and he did not begin racing until he was 26.

His interest began when he when he took part in local hillclimbs, having also participated in motocross, track days and short circuits, before taking in some Irish national road races.

"I got a taste for the roads with those little hillclimbs and when I started racing there was no real goal, I just enjoyed it.

"There's no dream but I want to make steps forward, not just compete.

"While it's exciting and I'm getting faster I'll keep going but if I level off at a certain pace I won't be here. I'll just go with the flow."

Browne also competes in the Manx Grand Prix in August over the Mountain Course and has won back-to-back Lightweight races over the past two years.

"The Manx last year was the first time that I really knew where I was going and knew what I need to do.

"For me that is invaluable as it's only twice a year that you get to ride round there. For someone like me who is still learning it's a must really."

'The smaller bikes suit me'

Michael Browne had a third place and three fourth positions at the recent North West 200

Browne has recorded the fastest lap ever by a Republic of Ireland rider at the TT at 129.294mph but aims to improve substantially on that to compete for honours in 2024.

He will campaign Aprilias with help from a combination of sponsors in the Superbikes and Superstock classes but his best chance of success may come in the smaller capacity Supersport and Supertwins categories in which he will ride a Yamaha and an Aprilia respectively.

The Irishman warmed up for the TT by claiming a third position in the Supertwins at the recent North West 200, along with a fourth place in the second 'Twins' outing and two fourth spots in the Supersports.

"I don't want to be branded as a small bike rider but the smaller bikes suit me. I'm a small lad so you use everything to your advantage.

"I proved last year that if the bikes are good I can do a good job and I'm confident on the 600.

"You got out there to win but reality plays a big part. I've got a TT podium now so anything less than that is not going to be any good.

"We're progressing and getting faster and I was confident leaving the North West which leads to confidence going into the TT."