Stockton-based professional superbike rider Daley Mathison has podium finishes in sight this year after undergoing laser eye surgery at Optical Express.

The 24-year-old got his season off to a flying start by winning his first race of the year in Scarborough (April 16 and 17) and is now looking for a big performance in the Isle of Man TT (28 May – 10 June).

The TT is arguably the biggest event in the motorbike racing calendar. After missing it last year through injury, the father of one is targeting his best ever position among the worlds’ elite this time around.

He said: “The Isle of Man TT is the big race everyone who races bikes wants to ride in. I’ve taken part three times, but missed last year’s race with a broken collar bone sustained two weeks earlier.

“I was gutted to miss it, especially in a crash that wasn’t my fault.

“The course is extremely tough. Some people say it’s like a six year learning curve; the first two or three years are about learning the course, then becoming more competitive when you’re familiar with it, and by the time you’ve ridden in It for five or six years you can really start to push for the podium.

“Missing last year’s race was a big setback, but I’m hoping to make up for it this year.

“Even to finish the six-lap race would be a massive achievement, but with my newly improved eyesight, I think I can challenge to be among the best.”

Daley, who has been riding motorbikes at an elite international level for four years, found that his career development was being slowed by his poor distance vision. He said: “I couldn’t wear glasses when I was racing because they would steam up or get in the way when I had my helmet on.

“Even wearing contact lenses, I would have problems with them becoming dry, folding and irritating my eyes. I was always having problems with them.

“When you’re travelling at over 200mph on a motorbike, it’s quite important to see what’s coming up ahead of you.

“It’s critical to be able to focus on the road ahead of you for extended periods of time during races, so not being distracted or irritated by my contact lenses is invaluable.

“As I started to become more competitive, challenging for top three positions in international races, I found that the margins for error are much smaller. My results were starting to be affected by problems I was having with lenses folding in my eye or becoming dried out.

“When I’m on the bike, I tend not to blink as often as I otherwise would, focussing for relatively long periods of time with my eyes open. When I did blink, I would often find the lenses folding over which is both uncomfortable and unsettling. Trying to race with only one eye open is not a good idea.

“These problems were affecting my results as well as putting me unnecessarily in danger.”

After trying different lenses and other eye products, Daley realised there was only one route to accelerate his career progression: “I made the decision that one way or another I had to have my vision corrected and booked myself in for a consultation at Optical Express in Newcastle.

“I was nervous before the procedure, I think anyone would be before having their eyes operated on.

“I needn’t have been though, because the staff were absolutely fantastic. They talked me through the whole process so I knew exactly what to expect.

“The procedure was over before I knew it. My eyes were a little bit uncomfortable and stingy for a few hours afterwards, but after that they were like brand new. I was given drops to use for a week and I didn’t need to take any painkillers.”

David Moulsdale, Chairman and CEO of Optical Express, said: “It’s great to see Daley already reaping the benefits of his new clear vision. In a sport like his where distance vision and lightning-quick reactions are essential, good eyesight can give you a significant advantage.

“Optical Express is proud to sponsor Daley and we wish him the best of success for the rest of the season.”

Photo - Courtesy of Steve McDonald Photography.