POOLE Pirates boss Neil Middleditch predicts a stern challenge from Belle Vue and Swindon in this season's Elite League championship hunt but insists: “We have a title-challenging team.”

Pirates were yesterday handed a tough start to 2016 with five of their opening seven fixtures against clubs that reached last season’s play-offs.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Swindon is always a tough one to start with but an enjoyable one as it’s a bit of derby for us. We’ll take things as they come, most of the boys will be pretty race rusty but we’re just looking forward to getting started.

“Belle Vue look very strong, they are going to be on a new track but I’m sure their home advantage will come and Swindon have also assembled a very good team.

“But you can never tell what will happen, especially at the start of the season. Some guys hit the ground running while others take a bit of time to warm up.

“There is nobody out there that really frightens me, we have just tried to assemble a team to be successful as we have done on several occasions over the past few years. We are no less enthusiastic about winning it for a fourth time in a row than we were the first time we won it.

“We have not spun a wheel yet, time will tell and it is a long old season but I do feel we have put together a title-challenging team.

On Poole, Middleditch added: “It is a good team and I am pleased with what we have.

“There is room for improvement for a couple of riders, Hans (Andersen) by his own admission wants to up his average and (Krzysztof) Buczkowski is a bit of a snip for us.

“Hopefully, Chris (Holder) will come into the season refreshed after the traumas of last year and injuries of recent times, while Brady (Kurtz) is looking forward to the challenge.

“Kyle (Newman) speaks for himself and in Adam Ellis we have another capable rider who can beat any reserve in the league.”

n Middleditch is hosting a fundraising dinner for Darcy Ward at his home in Sturminster Marshall on Friday, January 29.

A limited number of tables are still available. Contact organisers Patrick’s on 07890 441317 for more details.

POOLE PIRATES 2016 SCHEDULE

MARCH: Wed 16 Coventry Bees H (Elite Shield), Fri 18 Coventry A (Elite Shield), Fri 25 Swindon H (11am), Fri 25 Swindon A (7.30).

APRIL: Wed 6 Lakeside H, Fri 8 Lakeside A, Fri 15 Belle Vue A, Wed 20 Coventry H, Fri 22 Coventry A.

MAY: Mon 2 Wolverhampton A, Wed 4 Wolverhampton H, Thur 5 King’s Lynn A, Sat 7 Leicester A, Wed 18 Leicester H, Wed 25 Belle Vue H, Thur 26 Swindon A .

JUNE: Wed 1 Swindon H, Wed 29 King’s Lynn H.

JULY: Fri 1 Lakeside A, Wed 13 Lakeside H, Fri 15 Coventry A, Wed 20 Coventry H.

AUGUST: Wed 3 Wolverhampton H, Wed 10 King’s Lynn H, Thur 11 King’s Lynn A, Wed 17 Leicester H, Sat 20 Leicester A, Mon 29 Belle Vue A, Wed 31 Belle Vue H.

SEPTEMBER: Mon 5 Wolverhampton A.