PIRATES team boss Neil Middleditch has tipped Chris Holder to mount a serious challenge for a second world title as the Aussie prepares to launch his campaign.

Holder will tomorrow night hope to get his Grand Prix tilt off to a flying start at Slovenian venue Krsko having scraped into the top eight in last year’s series.

And Middleditch feels the 2012 world champion can make an impression at the top of the leaderboard having struggled with injury and confidence issues in recent years.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Hopefully, all of his troubles are behind him now and he has the right mindset.

“He has some good performances in Poland and the UK under his belt this year so it is a fresh start for him and he can show his true potential.

"Speedway is a mind game. He has always wanted to have his mind in the right place and I think he has this time.

“Chris has been around long enough to know what sort of mindset you need to have for a Grand Prix and the more relaxed you are, the better.

“You have to be dedicated to do it and I think Chris is in a good place at the moment.

“I know he is really pumped up for the world championship and I think he’s ready to go.

“Tai Woffinden is ready for another title and I think Chris can certainly be challenging. If he can get off to a good start that will be no bad thing.

“He’s certainly better than just a top-eight rider and his form so far this year has been very good.”

The action from Stadion Matije Gubca starts at 6pm BST.

Having been drawn at 14, Sydneysider Holder is due to ride in heats four, six, 11, 13 and 20.

Meanwhile, the Elite League fixture between Pirates and Leicester at Wimborne Road which had originally been scheduled for Wednesday, August 17 will now be staged a week later on Wednesday, August 24.