News 22 May 2014

Staring hopeful of Donington Park start in WSBK return

Australian plans to ride in Friday practice before final decision.

Australian Bryan Staring’s return to world championship road racing begins this weekend when he lines up on an EVO-spec Kawasaki in round five of the World Superbike title at Donington in England.

The 26-year-old has signed with Iron Brain Grillini Kawasaki to compete in the final nine rounds of the series, replacing Michel Fabrizio who recently parted ways with the Italian-based team.

Ironically, while the Perth native now has some stability after a rough start to 2014 – a planned World Supersport campaign came to an abrupt halt after just one round – he won’t be fully fit at Donington after breaking his elbow a fortnight ago while training on his mountain bike.

“There’s a steep decent that I’ve ridden it 1000 times before, but I lost concentration for a moment and was straight over the bars,” said Staring. “I knew I was in trouble the second I landed after taking a big hit on my right arm and shoulder.

“I’m really confident I’ll be damn close to 100 percent for the Malaysia race on June 8, but for Donington I’m basically going to try and ride Friday morning and see where my strength is.

“I’m improving a lot every day, but when you’re racing against the best in the world you’re kidding yourself to think it can be done without strength.”

Although Donington will present a huge physical challenge, Staring is delighted to be back on a Kawasaki, who he last rode for in 2012 when he finished a close fourth in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, which included three race wins.

“I’ve had a good relationship with Kawasaki Europe in the past. So when the position came up at Grillini it recommended me,” said Staring, who was a MotoGP rider in 2013. “And I’d shown my face at the first European WSBK round and let everyone at the race track know that I was here and available.”

Staring’s last world superbike ride was at Phillip Island in 2012, with a best finish of 10th on the Pedercini Kawasaki.

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