Bryan Staring’s career in Europe is coming to an end. In 2017 he will return to Australia, so we caught up with the Aussie rider, who has ridden everything from MotoGP to WSBK, to talk about leaving Europe and re-joining Team Honda as teammate to Troy Herfoss.
Why have you decided to stop racing in Europe now?
There are a few big reasons for me that are quite striking and simple. For three years I have not been able to achieve any of the goals that I have set. I feel like it is only getting more difficult for me because every year has been harder, and I have not had equipment capable of winning. There’s also the fact that I am 29 years old and not making any money here. I need to think about my future – and if motorcycling is going to give me what I need in life.
No Superstock for 2017?
At my age, I’m at the end of my time in Superstock [which has a max age of 28]. So I need to move into a team in World Supersport or World Superbikes.
And there are no opportunities there either?
When you look now at the list of riders who still don’t have a job in World Superbikes, and how good they are, I do not see a lot of interest coming my way. Also I don’t want to ride a bike that isn’t competitive. I’ve been doing that for too long and now it’s time to go. I have done my absolute best in every single lap I have done in Europe and I have had some success and some failures, and things I should have done differently. I did my best here and it’s time to move on.
Are there moments you can look back on to pinpoint the best and worst decisions you made in the WSBK and MotoGP paddocks?
I have to say there is not one single thing I see as my best decision. Maybe to continue with Kawasaki for the 2012 season was. My worst was – I think easily – to go to MotoGP.
It is easy to say that now, but if I was put in the same situation, with all the information I had at the time I would make the same decision. It’s hindsight. That’s the way it goes, and if things had gone differently in MotoGP it would’ve been the best thing for my career. There are a million other examples.
How do you feel about leaving it all behind now?
I’m not bitter about the sport or the way it has worked for me, but I think the reality of it is that unless you have competitive equipment your talent is worthless. That’s really what I think about it all.
You did have some highlights in Europe, especially in Superstock with three wins and five podiums? A case of unfinished business?
I agree, and it kills me even to be making a decision to go, because I feel I had more to give here and I could have been more successful in Europe. Unfinished business definitely, but it’s time for me to go. I can’t say I won’t ever come back – never say never – but at this moment the absolute best thing is to return to Australia.
Were you disappointed with the last race in Jerez?
Obviously it was disappointing because the bike stopped after three laps – it was not the way I wanted to finish. But all in all I was happy that, even though the qualifying position was not so good, we made a lot of progress with the bike and finally I feel like we actually cracked the code with it. I have been joking that this bike is like the enigma code from WWII, it has been so hard to work it out. Two steps forward and two back all year.
What about going back to Australia with Team Honda who you rode with a decade ago?
I have a full-time ride lined up with Motologic Honda for next season, and I couldn’t be happier to join the reigning ASBK champions and Troy Herfoss, who is insanely tough, along with the anticipation of the new bike. The Australian championships is going from strength to strength, and I’m looking forward to competing at Phillip Island for the first round of WSBK next year.
Interview Gordon Ritchie
