Dumped Australian MotoGP rider Bryan Staring has been thrown a career lifeline with a last-minute deal to race in this year's World Supersport championship.
The 26-year-old was picked up by Russian outfit Rivamoto and will make his competitive debut aboard their Honda at next weekend's season-opening round in Phillip Island.
Staring's future on two-wheels had been in doubt since being cut by Gresini Honda late last year following a disappointing maiden season in MotoGP.
The West Australian collected just two championship points to finish 26th in the premier class.
But Staring is eyeing a bigger and better 2014 and is grateful for the opportunity to race again.
"I have all the motivation I need to succeed, but sometimes motivation alone isn't enough and sometimes it can make the difference," he said.
"There are a lot of variables in road racing and my 2013 season was a great example of this."
The Perth-born rider is no stranger to the category, having previously won the Australian supersport and superbike crowns and spent 2011/2012 competing in the European FIM Superstock series.
"I'll have to rely on some old (supersport) experience for the start of the season, but I hope I can get the feeling back quickly," Staring said.
"I absolutely expect nothing less than to be competitive. If I didn't believe I could fight for a championship I wouldn't enter."
