CONFIDENT promoter Matt Ford admits he will be shocked if Krzysztof Kasprzak does not wrestle away Jason Doyle’s crown as the top rider in British speedway after announcing the Polish star as Pirates’ fourth signing for 2017.

Poole asset Kasprzak has taken his place in the Wimborne Road septet on an 11.07 average and will bid not only for a fourth league title in the skull and crossbones but also an improvement in the rider rankings.

The 32-year-old was fifth in the averages last season with just Grand Prix stars Doyle, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Chris Holder and Andreas Jonsson above him.

And with Doyle on the comeback trail following the lung, shoulder, rib and elbow injuries which ended his world title tilt, Ford has tipped Leszno-born Kasprzak to top of the pile in the SGB Premiership.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Krzys is capable of being the very top rider in British speedway next year. This year, he finished fifth in the averages but I truly believe he has the potential to be the top dog and I will be shocked, to a degree, if he isn’t.

“While I don’t think there is any question Jason Doyle has the right to be deemed the top rider, he is coming back from a very serious injury. Potentially, his campaign might start a little bit more slowly than usual.

“I think Krzys will steal a march on many and will be banging in the points. I think he will be an absolute star.

“He is an excellent rider and I think everyone could see how well he rides the Poole track when he guested for us against Belle Vue and secured a 15-point maximum against the strongest of oppositions.

“Given the amount of emails I received after that performance, I think this signing will be a very pleasant shock for all the Pirates fans.

“I have wanted to bring Krzys back on many occasions. He was a victim of Darcy Ward and Chris Holder’s success and I do feel it hasn’t always worked in his favour with averages, otherwise I would have brought Krzys back previously.”

Kasprzak is a three-time round winner on the world championship circuit but failed to reclaim his place at speedway’s top table this year having fallen short in September’s Grand Prix Challenge in Vetlanda, Sweden – one of his least favoured tracks.

Ford added: “The deal between Krzys and myself was done in half an hour. He was very sensible. He has a goal to get back in the Grand Prix and we will do everything to help him secure that.

“I hope riding with us at a track he knows well in a town he knows well, where he owns his own home, that Krzys will have a great campaign and will be a points-scoring machine for the Pirates.

Ford has 19.76 points with which to recruit the remainder of his one-to-seven.

Pirates: Krzysztof Kasprzak 11.07, Hans Andersen 10.01, Jack Holder 7.16, James Shanes 2.00.