CHRIS Holder reckons Maciej Janowski is a shoo-in for the Grand Prix top eight in 2015 and is vowing to become “a different rider” to follow suit.

The Poole Pirates pair go head-to-head in British speedway’s showpiece event when the fourth round of the GP series takes place at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff today (5pm).

Newcomer Janowski shook off a shaky start to life on the circuit by winning five out of five qualifying heats to scoop a rostrum finish last time out in Prague.

Conversely, 2012 world champion Holder has yet to make an impact, trailing the coveted top eight and a guaranteed place in next year’s series by nine points.

The Aussie charger, currently competing in his sixth consecutive GP series, has never failed to make the grade when he has been present for the whole season.

But while Holder admits there is still a long way to go, the 27-year-old concedes one berth already has Janowski’s name on it.

Holder told the Daily Echo: “For anyone to finish on 15 points from the qualifying heats in a Grand Prix is a really top effort and something I have never managed.

“It is so hard because every race is competitive and you go off different gates. Some are always better than others.

“In Prague, Maciej had a very good set-up and won his races quite easily. It was an awesome effort and sometimes, you just need a meeting like that to make you believe you can do it against the very best.

“I am sure he will be up there for the rest of the season now, his form is great everywhere and he will be feeling really good. He is a top rider and seems happy enough so I would be surprised if he didn’t make the top eight.”

Meanwhile, Holder hopes history can repeat itself on a happy hunting ground in the Welsh capital.

The Poole number one, who already has two British GP triumphs, a final and a semi-final to his to his name, added: “The Grand Prix meetings have been pretty average for me so far to say the least. It is tough to take, especially when the top boys are consistently banging in the points.

“I am not giving up but my first target has to be getting back in that top eight. If you can get a good run, you can easily catch up pretty quickly but that is much easier said than done.

“I do feel a lot better. Everything is working much better now, I am winning races and hopefully, I should be a different rider at Cardiff and get myself up the front.

“I tend to have good meetings there. The only time I missed out was when I was top qualifier and stuffed up the semi-final so I would like to continue that, for sure.”