Source: Supplied.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing has officially announced the signing of 2010 Australian Superbike Champion Bryan Staring alongside defending number one plate holder Troy Herfoss for 2017.

As reported on CycleOnline.com.au earlier this week, 28-year-old Staring will replace Jamie Stauffer on the team’s second CBR1000RR SP fulltime in the series.

It will be a welcome return to domestic competition for Staring following a challenging six years in Europe, which included a full season in MotoGP with Gresini Honda during 2013.

“To be in the position to return to Australia and race with a team as professional as Motologic Honda is both a privilege and a pleasure,” Staring said. “I couldn’t be happier to join the reigning ASBK champions and be equipped with a product as good as Honda, especially with the anticipation of the new bike.

“The Australian championship is going from strength to strength and I’m delighted to be part of what is now a deeply-talented field. I’ll have a great teammate in Troy Herfoss, who is an insanely tough competitor, and I’m really looking forward to working the whole Motologic team.

“Although I’m saddened to leave the world championship without achieving what I dreamed I could have, six seasons there was a bigger experience than I could have imagined and I’m satisfied in that I gave it everything I had with no regrets and no stone unturned.

“I’m ready to come home and I smile at the thought of this new challenge and the people around me. I thank Motologic and Honda Australia for having me back.”

Since clinching the ASBK crown aboard a non-factory Fireblade, Staring has spent the majority of his time in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, winning three races in 2012. His most recent podium came in Germany last month with Team Agro On Benjan Kawasaki.

In addition to his European STK1000 career, Staring has also contested numerous races in the Superbike and Supersport world championships during his time overseas, the majority of which was spent aboard Kawasaki machinery.

Team principal Paul Free welcomed Staring to the team alongside Herfoss, who confirmed he’d re-signed after winning the 2016 title at Winton earlier this month, and confirmed Honda is still eager to retain Stauffer in what’s understood to be a part-time development-type role.

“We have had a huge season in 2016 with the whole gauntlet of highs and lows, but we ultimately finished on a massive high with Troy taking the Australian Superbike title,” Free said. “I am really excited to go racing in 2017.

“We welcome Bryan back to the Australian championship and our Honda team. He now has 6 years of experience in the world championships under his belt and it will be terrific to see what he can do back on Australian soil on-board the CBR1000RR SP.

“We are still in discussion with Jamie presently to maximise his success in 2017. Jamie’s skill on a motorcycle and his wealth of knowledge about the motorcycle is a fantastic asset and we are of course very keen to retain him heading into next year.

“Troy is pumped to try and win his second ASBK title in a row so we have a very exciting season of racing coming up in 2017.”

With Phillip Island’s MotoGP support races due to be the final races of this year’s schedule, it’s anticipated the 2017 season will once again open alongside the Australian round of the Superbike World Championship on 24-26 February.