Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

A mechanical fault for the second-straight round cost Bryan Staring of a potential overall podium in Sydney’s sixth round of the YMF Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) on Sunday, but he managed to prove his potential later in race two.

Staring was quick all weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park and managed to outpace teammate Troy Herfoss for much of the event, however his CBR1000RR SP2 struck an oil leak in the opening stages of race one, understood to be similar to the problem encountered at Morgan Park.

With Staring racing to secure his future in these closing rounds his frustration was evident, however the Crankt Protein Honda Racing team was able to swiftly rectify any issue between races. He returned to challenge for victory and eventually cross the line in second behind a dominant Josh Waters.

“I know I need to be happy with second and I should be, but I was riding as hard as I could ride, keeping Josh as honest as I could,” Staring commented to CycleOnline.com.au. “He deserved the weekend that he had, obviously with pole position and both victories. I just wish I could have closed that gap – I made one mistake there early in the piece that really cost me.

“Anyway, a big thanks to Crankt Protein Honda Racing and the CBR1000RR SP2, especially after race one that we could have such a quick recovery. After the last round, making a quick recovery and going to the extent they go to to give us good race bikes again here, I’m grateful for that. I’m happy to take one podium and move on.”

Staring’s impressive rebound in race two resulted in 10th overall for the weekend despite his non-finish in race one, now eighth in the championship standings with Phillip Island’s final round remaining on 6-8 October.