JACK Holder expects Pirates team-mate Brady Kurtz and Elite League grand finalist Max Fricke to provide his main competition for the Australian under-21 title.

The 20-year-old Holder is on Saturday due to defend his crown at Kurri Kurri in his home state of New South Wales.

He had a tough time in his most recent meeting at the circuit, scoring just three points in the final round of the senior Australian championship.

However, Poole's off-season signing is confident he can challenge this time, although he is wary of the threat posed by world under-21 champion Fricke and 2016 senior Aussie champion Kurtz.

Holder said: “Max Fricke and Brady Kurtz will be my main focus but this year there’s a few other young boys who will make it pretty tough.

"I am really looking forward to it. My preparation will be the same as for every other meeting but with some changes.

"I didn’t have the best meeting last time at Kurri so I am hoping to change that round a little bit.

"I want to win the Australian under 21s again as it will be my last time. I really want to place in the top four so I can be seeded in the world championship qualifiers in England."

Holder was speaking to the Motorcycling Australia website.