Image: Keith Muir.

It’s a case of being back where he belongs for Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Bryan Staring after battling his way to third in race one of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) at Phillip Island.

Staring, 29, is back in the ASBK for the first time since he captured the 2010 crown and has been a primary factor at Phillip Island so far.

After qualifying second and edging out defending champion teammate Troy Herfoss for the final podium spot on Saturday, Staring is satisfied with his decision to sign with Honda. He also posted the fastest lap at 1m33.486s

“This is the whole reason I came home,” Staring told CycleOnline.com.au. “If I had of been able to put myself in a competitive position overseas, I wouldn’t have stopped over there. I don’t think I gave up, but I wouldn’t have walked away. I knew when I came to Honda that I was going to be competitive – the team has the results on the board.”

After a variety of frustrating seasons in Europe, including a full year in MotoGP during 2013, being back in the mix at the front is a satisfying feeling for the Western Australian – but like most racers, he still wants more.

“It’s satisfying for me. I’m not satisfied with the first race, because I felt like we could have won it, although we really didn’t show any signs of that. We were there or thereabouts, but certainly not putting pressure on for the win.

“But the feeling I’m getting with that bike is that I should be right there. Everything’s moving forward and I expected to be competitive, but to do that I needed the right tool for the job and I have that now. I’m confident in my ability, I guess – basically, through my career when I have had the right tool beneath me, I’ve been right there.

“That was a great start to the season for us, some good points and I hope that we can progress from here. Even in life away from the track, I’m happy to be home, setting myself tasks away from racing as well, so I’m really happy with life in general, to be honest.”