More than 50 bikes fans from Sweden are in the Isle of Man to support their local rider.

Bjorn Gunnarsson made his debut here in 2012 but crushed his ankle in a spill and went through 16 months of rehab.

Doctors gave Bjorn permission to ride at this year's event and he's expected to do well in tomorrow's Senior race, having achieved 12th place in the Junior earlier this week.

Bjorn's girlfriend Karin Gustavsson said: 'He has been determined to come back to the Mountain Course ever since the crash. He has used the unintentional break in his career last season to build the foundation of a solid race team. In a country like Sweden, with only short circuit racing, the curiosity of the mountain course is huge.'

The Swedish party is staying at the Palace Hotel on Douglas prom.

Bjorn said: 'Me and their tour guide Peter Karlsson will do our best to give the Swedish visitors an experience for Life. Peter has taken them for trips in the surroundings and I took them for a pitwalk and gave them a guided lap with the coach when the races were cancelled this Monday.

'When this week is over, I am sure they all will be as addicted to the races and the island as I am. If I can solve my racing budget for next season I may apply for starting permission in the TT races 2015 and hopefully it will attract even more Swedish race fans.'


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