NEIL Middleditch reckons Brady Kurtz has a realistic shot at reaching next year's Speedway Grand Prix series after the youngster came through his qualifying semi-final on Saturday.

Kurtz racked up six points in three heats at Lonigo and after wet weather cut short the meeting, the Pirates ace advanced to the Grand Prix Challenge, due to take place at Vetlanda on September 3, with Hans Andersen and Krzysztof Buczkowski also among the line-up.

The 19-year-old opened with a third place behind Robert Lambert and Mikkel Bech before bagging a crucial chequered flag in heat six, beating Nico Covatti, Tomas H Jonasson and Freddie Lindgren.

The Aussie remained in the all-important top seven with second spot behind runaway leader and new Polish champion Patryk Dudek, finishing ahead of Michael Jepsen Jensen and Daniel Gappmaier.

Then came the early end to the action with current Grand Prix star Bartosz Zmarzlik, Lindgren, Jepsen Jensen and Craig Cook among the shock casualties.

Poole team boss Middleditch praised Kurtz for his excellent effort in Italy and stated the teenager had the talent to go all the way to the world championship.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "He went there with no expectations and was looking to enjoy the moment. He kept plugging away and is now one step away from the Grand Prix, which is amazing.

"The meeting was stopped early because of the weather but he qualified and that's what the records will show.

"I think he will take Vetlanda as just another meeting and I'm confident he won't let the pressure get to him. He's pretty laid back and I think again he will enjoy the moment.

"There's no reason to say he couldn't qualify from the GP Challenge with a little bit of luck because he's very quick. When he's in front he's hard to catch.

"Whatever happens in Vetlanda, I don't think he can be disappointed because he has done very well and gone further than a lot of good riders.

"It will be a very tough task but he will enjoy the moment and whatever happens, he can put it down as a good experience."

Meanwhile, Middleditch voiced his delight after a guest-heavy Poole side earned a superb triumph at Lakeside on Friday.

He added: "I don't know if there was a little bit of complacency on Lakeside's part but Matt Ford made some shrewd guest choices and Chris Holder, Adam Ellis and Paul Starke were outstanding.

"I said to our guests before the meeting, 'I know you aren't Pirates but can you ride like Pirates?' and they certainly did.

"We're getting towards the business end of the season and we have got to make sure we get in the play-off positions, which we are very capable of."

Grand Prix Challenge line-up: Piotr Pawlicki, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Kenneth Bjerre, Sam Masters, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Peter Ljung, Hans Andersen, Patryk Dudek, Tomasz Jedrzejak, Max Fricke, Nicolas Covatti, Robert Lambert, Brady Kurtz, Martin Smolinski plus two wild cards. Reserves: Martin Vaculik, Mikkel Bech Jensen.