PIRATES' off-season recruit Jack Holder is adamant he will not be weighed down by expectation and insists: "It doesn't faze me what people think."

The 20-year-old Aussie has taken on the Holder mantle at Wimborne Road after older brother Chris – the sixth-highest points scorer in club history – was ruled out of the team-building process.

Chris's sizeable 12.53 average was deemed too high by Poole chief Matt Ford, who elected instead to bring in Krzysztof Kasprzak as his number one for the forthcoming SGB Premiership campaign.

Former world champion Chris had enjoyed a decorated nine-season spell with Pirates, contributing to no fewer than 13 trophies which included five Elite League titles.

But his exit for King's Lynn leaves top-flight rookie Jack carrying the renowned Holder name in the skull and crossbones. However, the former Plymouth rider is not concerned by taking the plunge.

Reflecting on how his older brother's success had impacted him, Jack told the Daily Echo: "It's good and bad to have that expectation on you but I'm Jack so it doesn't faze me what people think.

"I do my own thing and if I'm good enough to do it, I'm good enough to do it. I'm sure I will give it a good push.

"It's awesome to be racing for Poole although it's a shame my brother's not there. That's a bit of a bummer but these things happen.

"It was always the plan to race alongside Chris. It's good to have your mates in the team but it's even better if it's your own brother.

"That's not happening but, hopefully, next year or the year after, it will."

Jack has been a regular spectator for Poole's meetings over the past two years and joins the Dorset club on a 7.16 average.

He added: "I'm hoping to try to get some silverware. I haven't really been in a team which has challenged for a league trophy, so that would be good.

"A couple of the other teams have got two or three good riders but our team is pretty strong all the way through."

Earning a team place at Poole provided Jack with the chance to link up with countryman and close friend Brady Kurtz on British shores for the second time.

The pair briefly raced together at Plymouth in the second tier last season.

Jack added: "In my first year over here I was hoping to go to Somerset (where Kurtz raced) but visa stuff messed me around so I had to miss a year.

"BK came to Plymouth for about a month last season and it was awesome for him to be there.

"Now we're finally in a team together permanently, it should be really good as we're really good mates."

The duo were this morning due to ride in the second round of the Australian Senior Solo Championship at Mildura.