PIRATES chief Matt Ford has first option to sign Australian star Troy Batchelor for the 2017 season.

Ford has more than eight points with which to recruit his final rider and former Grand Prix charger Batchelor, who last rode for Poole in 2007, would fit into the septet.

Kacper Gomolski (7.71) would be another possibility, while Ford could turn to Pirates asset Brady Kurtz (7.65) for a second straight year.

The Poole promoter has first call on the likes of Batchelor and Gomolski as he was granted access to the retained list of former Peterborough co-owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney when they took a step back from the sport.

It is understood the arrangement is due to continue for one more year as it is a three-year maximum period.

Ford has a close relationship with Frost and Mahoney given the duo's plant hire company, Readypower, has been Pirates' main team sponsor for the past two years.

The club is currently in the process of searching for a replacement sponsor since the Readypower deal came to a close.