Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing’s Bryan Staring weathered mixed conditions well at the Phillip Island MotoGP support races, finishing third overall after a challenging weekend.

The region turned on a typical show of elements, with drenching rain shortening the Superbike schedule from four to three races.

The opening race left teams and riders guessing as to the tyre choice required – some played the wet weather card and others pushed on in the dry.

Staring was one of many caught out when the conditions improved, and did well to ride to seventh place on wet weather tyres.

Race two saw luck swing back to Staring’s side, until the very last lap. He led proceedings from lap two and looked set to record a race win before Josh Waters drafted by in the closing stages.

Race three saw the battle between the defending ASBK champion and current points leader resume.

This time the Gold Coast-based Staring got the upper hand and the two second place finishes were enough to boost him to a podium placing for the weekend.

“Phillip Island really turned on the weather this weekend and this ended up costing us in the first race where it was a gamble with tyres,” said Staring. “Coming back in race two the bike felt very strong and comfortable all race long, we were unlucky not to win that one.

“Another solid second place in the final race was good enough to ensure we would be on the podium. It was a positive way to round out the weekend, and despite it being a non-championship event it was a good opportunity to test the bike further in full race trim and get a run on the new tyres.”

The final event on the calendar for Staring and the Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing team is round seven of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship to be held in a month’s time at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains circuit.

Staring is on course to record a maiden Superbike championship with a handy points advantage over second. If he can achieve the feat he will also tick off the elusive triple title win – national 125cc, Supersport and Superbike crowns.