Aussie Bryan Staring has signed to ride Fausto Gresini's MotoGP CRT ride, prompting speculation as to where Ryuichi Kiyonari, who was pencilled in for the seat, will end up in in 2013.
The Japanese rider polished off the Asian Championship last weekend and was thought to have been selected to be Honda's development rider for its 2014 production racers as well as being in Gresini's squad next season. Apparently not.
Staring, who rode Kawasakis in the European Superstock 1000 series last year with three wins, has stepped in. His pedigree is Australian Championships in the form of 125GP, Superbike and Supersport, plus a short-lived stint in the HM Plant Honda Superstock team in Britain.
"Racing in the MotoGP class has always seemed a very remote, practically unattainable. Now that I have a real chance to race in this championship with Go & Fun Honda Gresini, it’s is almost unbelievable... a dream come true," said Staring.
"It’s the greatest opportunity of my career and I will be giving it my best. I know I still have a lot to learn and I will put in all the effort it requires. I have to thank Fausto Gresini and the team sponsors who have given me this opportunity. I cannot imagine the excitement when I first get on the bike."
