Could staring leave YRT and FX for a return to the ASBK? Image: Keith Muir.

Current Australian Supersport Champion Bryan Staring could make a dramatic return to Honda in the Australian Superbike Championship, possibly turning down an offer from Yamaha to switch to Formula Xtreme for 2010.

Staring was announced this week by Yamaha Motor Australia to be riding for the powerhouse Yamaha Racing Team in the FX1000 and FX600 classes in the AASA-sanctioned FX series, however speculation has surrounded the future of Staring’s contract validity since that announcement.

It’s believed that Staring’s Yamaha deal may have been to defend his Supersport title in the ASBK series that’s promoted by International Entertainment Group under the Motorcycling Australia governing body, not relating to FX after the manufacturer’s late decision to join the series, and opening up an option for a return to the ASBK if a seat was to become available.

Sources and various web-based forum members suggest that Staring is inching closer to a deal that would see the Queensland-based ex-factory Honda rider return to a Superbike in the ASBK this season, coming as a shock move this late in the off-season.

If the deal is in fact a reality, Staring could be onboard a CBR1000RR Fireblade as soon as Monday next week, where a host of teams will continue pre-season testing at Phillip Island Ride Days in the lead up to the season opener on 26-28 February.

Staring was unavailable for comment at the time of posting the news on MotoOnline.com.au.

It is unconfirmed whether Yamaha will replace Staring at YRT alongside young guns Pat Medcalf and Rick Olson if he does leave the team in favour of an ASBK return.