MACIEJ Janowski played down the importance of his skipper role at Poole Pirates and insisted every rider at the club possessed leadership qualities.

The Polish talisman filled in as stand-in captain last year while Darcy Ward was injured and latterly suspended.

And Wroclaw-born Janowski has been handed the job on a full-time basis by promoter Matt Ford for the 2015 campaign.

However, the former King’s Lynn and Swindon ace played down the significance of his possession of the armband.

Janowski told the Daily Echo: “I’m happy that Matt gave me the captaincy but I don’t think it will make too much difference on the track.

“I will continue to prepare the same for meetings and will continue to work closely with the rest of my team.

“Everyone in the team can be a captain so in some ways it doesn’t matter that Matt picked me for the job.”

In addition to league racing across Europe, Janowski will kick off his maiden Grand Prix campaign later this month.

The 23-year-old qualified for the world championship having charged to fourth in the Grand Prix Challenge at Lonigo in September.

Champion Matej Zagar’s top-eight finish in last year’s GPs sealed Janowski’s berth on the 2015 circuit.

Janowski added: “I’m very excited to race in the Grands Prix and it will be something new for me and my team. It’s another step.

“I hope that after the season ends, I will be able to say it was good for me and that it was something I needed.”