Bryan Staring gets Gresini MotoGP ride

Australia will continue to have a full time MotoGP rider in 2013 after the surprise news that Bryan Staring will race the Gresini CRT bike.

Peter McLaren

27 Nov 2012

Staring, Spanish SSTK 1000 Race 2012
© Gold and Goose

Bryan Staring will contest the 2013 MotoGP World Championship on board the Go&Fun Honda Gresini CRT bike.

The 25-year-old Australian is a three-time national champion in 125GP, Supersport and Superbike.

In 2012 he contested the FIM Superstock 1000 series for Pedercini Kawasaki, taking wins at Aragon, Brno and Portimao on his way to fourth in the championship.

Staring also rode as a WSBK wild-card for Pedercini in his home Phillip Island round. The Gold Coast resident often trains with WSBK legend and MotoGP race winner Troy Bayliss.

"In all my racing years I never expected to be in the MotoGP paddock as it seemed unreachable to me," said Staring. "To have the opportunity to race in this championship with a team like Go&Fun Honda Gresini is something incredible.

"This is my biggest challenge now and I'll approach it as I have all my other challenges, I'll give it everything I have. I realize I have a lot to learn and I look forward to taking it all in.

"I'm very appreciative for Fausto Gresini and the sponsors of the Team who have contributed to the position I'm in now. I can't wait until I'm rolling out of pit lane".

Staring takes over from Michele Pirro, who rode the FTR-CBR1000RR package to a new CRT high of fifth place at the wet/dry Valencia finale and third overall in the new privateer class.

Pirro is switching to the role of Ducati test rider.

Staring will ride alongside Alvaro Bautista, the Spaniard starting his second season on Gresini's Honda RC213V in 2013.

"Bryan Staring completes the Team Go&Fun Honda Gresini MotoGP line-up for next season," stated team owner Fausto Gresini. "The young Australian will be entrusted with carrying forward the CRT project that we all have such belief in, especially after such a great result in the final round of 2012 at Valencia.

"Bryan shone in the Superstock 1000 series this season with three wins and he has the right approach and ability to help us achieve our objectives with the FTR-Honda. I can't wait to see him on track and working with our guys and I am sure he will settle in well."

Following Casey Stoner's retirement, Staring will take over as the only Australian on the full-time 2013 grid.

Gresini has now announced its MotoGP and Moto3 line-up, but is yet to name its Moto2 riders.