Source: Supplied.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s 2017 signing Bryan Staring is excited to enter next year’s Australian Superbike Championship with a title-winning package that will gift him a genuine opportunity to challenge for another championship upon returning home.

Following a full six seasons competing in Europe, the 29-year-old will join defending champion Troy Herfoss aboard the factory CBR1000RR next season and is confident he will be competitive against the current crop of national talent.

“Maybe that’s why I smile at the thought of next year, you know,” Staring told CycleOnline.com.au. “I think that even before we’ve started, we will have a good harmony inside the team. Of course I really like the idea of being competitive – I’m obviously really hopeful that’s going to be the case and I’m quite confident that is going to be the case.

“I guess that’s why it’s exciting to me, it’s a feeling I’ve not been able to experience too much of over the last few years in my career internationally. So yeah, I’m all in, I love racing motorbikes and I’m super-eager to get started. I feel like it’s rejuvenated me, it’s almost like it has taken 10 years off my life coming back home.”

Staring took Australian racing by storm by winning the ASBK crown on a satellite Honda in 2010. Prior to that he clinched the Supersport crown in 2009 and, even further back, the 125GP title in 2004. He’s certain his form will be even better than it was when he last competed domestically.

“I can’t see why I shouldn’t be a better rider than when I left,” he added. “Obviously I’m a bit older, but I think as far as our sport goes, I’m certainly not too old. I’d like to think that if everything goes well, I’ll have another 10 years left in me.

“I’m still hungry, I still want to win and like I said before, there’s no substitute for the feeling of winning – it’s an experience that money can’t buy and the sensation of it is huge. I feel like I’m hungry enough to keep fighting for that and, skill-wise, I mean, I can’t see why I should’ve lost anything, so we’ll see how I stand.”

Follow this link to read CycleOnline.com.au’s complete Catching Up interview with Staring posted on Tuesday afternoon.