Image: Foremost Media.

DesmoSport Ducati has chosen Broc Pearson over Bryan Staring as it scales back to a single-rider entry again in the 2023 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK).

Former international Staring factored in this year’s title-hunt all the way to the end and claimed third in the final standings, however, the 2010 champion’s future is up in the air just two months out from round one.

The frustration of 35-year-old Western Australian Staring was evident after the news surfaced, moving to question the state of the sport: “When a professional rider capable of winning for a ‘factory team’ has absolutely no value, the sport has failed. Who is responsible?”

Pearson’s signing comes after first clinching a deal mid-season ahead of Morgan Park, where he impressed on his way to fourth position, and the DesmoSport team owned by Ben Henry and Troy Bayliss added a second V4 R for the season-remainder alongside Staring. He finished eighth at Phillip Island and 11th at The Bend finals.

“We had a good year in 2022 with Bryan securing third in the championship,” Bayliss explained. “He’s a great brand ambassador, a professional in all aspects and an incredible rider, but Ben and I had a good conversation about what we are doing and why, and it stood out to both of us that Broc is the rider that DesmoSport Ducati should have on board in 2023.

“He’s young, has a bright career ahead of him and needs support to continue in his progression or we’re likely to lose another up-and-coming rider from the sport. We believe in Broc’s ability, and we are prepared to invest in him for DesmoSport Ducati’s 2023 championship campaign.”

Henry added: “In all honesty, it was a tough conversation to have, telling Bryan that Broc would ride the bike in 2023. He literally is my best mate, but in true Staring form, he was a professional and understood the team’s decision. I’m really glad that he could ride with us 2022 and help him have the best season he’s had since returning to Australia.

“For 2023, we’re looking to regain our focus on the bigger picture and Broc is undoubtedly a part of that. He was the Rookie of the Year this year and for good reason. He has the skill, determination and drive to get great results and I believe that we have the tools to help Broc take some big steps forward in his career both here in Australia or overseas.”

At 22, the highly-rated 2021 national Supersport champion Pearson will become the sole rider at DesmoSport Ducati in 2023, admitting that he wasn’t expecting to receive the full-time call to rider for the factory-supported team next season. Regardless, it’s a welcome one that he is motivated to make the most of.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect this for 2023,” Gold Coast-based Pearson commented. “It was an amazing opportunity to ride the Panigale V4 R this year, it was a great experience to work with DesmoSport, Ducati Australia, the teams’ partners and to ride the bike.

“Although the last two rounds didn’t go the way I was hoping, I know there is so much potential once we get a few more laps under our belt. It is very exciting heading into next year knowing that Ben and Troy are fully in my corner.

“I’m determined to make the most of the opportunity for them, myself and all those who have been a part of the ride so far. DesmoSport is a race winning team so I know this year is very important that I step up and deliver the results that I know I can achieve.”

Pearson commenced his rookie campaign this season with the 727 Moto team aboard Yamaha machinery, but split just three rounds into the season. He sat out Hidden Valley prior to the DesmoSport opportunity eventuating, ending up P11 in the championship.

DesmoSport Ducati has operated as both a single and two-rider team since its formation in 2016. It ran two V4 Rs with Mike Jones and Oli Bayliss full-time last year, before starting 2022 with Staring as the sole entry, only to add Pearson for the final three rounds of ASBK, in addition to the MotoGP support races.