MACIEJ Janowski will not start the 2016 season with Poole Pirates but promoter Matt Ford is adamant the Grand Prix star will return to Wimborne Road.

Janowski proved a pivotal performer in Pirates' charge to three straight Elite League titles, the Polish international captaining the side to their two most recent successes.

A rating of 8.97 saw the 24-year-old finish third in the averages behind Jason Doyle and Niels-Kristian Iversen and the fans' favourite was thought to be Ford's number one target for next season.

However, Janowski cast doubt over the feasibility of a Pirates team place when he penned a deal at Swedish club Dackarna, that added to his Polish league and Speedway Grand Prix commitments.

And although Ford now knows that Janowski will not be involved from the start of next year's campaign, he insists that fans have not seen the last of the talisman in Poole kevlars.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "Sadly, certainly for the start of next season, Maciej won't be with us. It's too difficult for him to take on another domestic campaign given that he is due to ride in Poland, Sweden and the Grand Prix.

"I know it was a very tough decision for him. But Maciej has made it very clear that should we have any injuries or similar problems, we can go to him for help. He would be one of the first people we'd go to anyway, because he really is one of us.

"Of course I would have offered him a team place had he elected to ride in Britain and the door has been left open for next season.

"I'm sure that we will see Maciej represent the Pirates again, of that I have absolutely no doubt.

"In truth, I think he will miss riding in Britain. Although he will be riding in Sweden, I think Britain keeps you very sharp. Sweden is a very tough league and that sometimes has its own pitfalls."

Skipper Janowski's departure means that Pirates will be led by a new rider as they target an unprecedented fourth straight Elite League title next term.

And Ford said that the impact of the box-office Pole could not be understated.

He added: "Maciej has been such a successful captain. He has led the team on two occasions and both times, we've won the league.

"Whatever happens, he will go down as one of our most successful captains."