BRADY Kurtz took on the roles of rider and mechanic – and proved untouchable on the track.

Pirates’ rising star secured his first full maximum in the British top flight during Saturday’s 56-34 victory at Leicester – Poole’s opening meeting of the SGB Premiership campaign.

The 12-point star turn was all the more impressive given Kurtz’s older brother Todd was unavailable for mechanic duties, leaving the former to sort out his own machinery.

But it did not deter the 20-year-old Aussie one bit, until heat 15 at least, when the effects of a busy meeting finally hit home and Krzysztof Kasprzak and Hans Andersen went to the tapes instead.

Discussing Kurtz’s hectic night, Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Brady was a one-man band – he was running around the pits doing everything himself.

“The other mechanics tried to help when they could but when it came to heat 15, he said he was a bit tired and had had enough!

“I thought a maximum was a nice way to start the campaign. He was outstanding. He wasn’t just winning races, he was winning them by a long way.

“Last year was his apprenticeship and he has come back and ridden really well. A couple of meetings don’t make a season but they are good signs for him.”

Poole allowed their hosts just one heat advantage and had victory wrapped up with three races to spare, banishing memories of Friday’s Knockout Cup exit at Belle Vue.

Middleditch added: “We came up here knowing Leicester would be no pushovers as they beat Swindon and ran Wolverhampton close. But my boys were different riders from the Belle Vue meeting. They were making good starts and racing very well.”

Middleditch had a full side available, with Lewis Kerr returning to the fold. There was no such luxury for Leicester, who were missing Josh Bates and Erik Riss.

When Kasprzak broke the track record in heat one, the tone was set. A couple of maximums swiftly followed and Pirates were eight points up, a gap which soon widened.

Kacper Gomolski’s decision to slow down when leading heat five – in the mistaken belief the race had been stopped – summed up Leicester’s night. The same man made no impact in a heat 12 tactical ride.

That was no concern for Pirates. Their big guns scored well and now all eyes turn to the double-header with Somerset on Good Friday. Poole’s league season is up and running.