DARCY Ward has tipped rising star Brady Kurtz to flourish in his second season in the British top flight, insisting Pirates are initially a “hard club” to ride for.

Former Australian champion Kurtz experienced a mixed campaign in Poole colours in 2016 having arrived to much fanfare, finishing on a 6.44 average.

That figure was higher than ex-Wimborne Road flier Ward managed in his maiden Elite League season but nonetheless, Kurtz admitted he had been surprised to be immediately asked back.

With the faith of Matt Ford behind him, the 20-year-old has begun to repay the Pirates promoter in the early stages of this campaign.

He amassed 19 points over two legs in last week’s Knockout Cup defeat to Belle Vue before recording his first full maximum in the top flight at Leicester, despite being temporarily without a mechanic.

Kurtz will hope to impress in today’s double-header against former club Somerset, the opening meeting taking place at Wimborne Road (11am) before matters move to the Oaktree Arena (7.30pm).

Former Grand Prix ace Ward, who won three league titles during a decorated stint in Dorset, backed Kurtz to deliver in the skull and crossbones and said the young charger would learn a lot this term.

Ward told the Daily Echo: “I think Brady will have a good season. The first year at Poole is tough. It is a hard club to come and ride for. It’s hard to gel in and get used to the track. When I first came to Poole, I found it a very tough track.

“He’s only young and I’m sure he would have been expecting more from his first season. I guess the good thing for him is that the league has got easier and he is going to be winning more races and building confidence.

“You learn a lot when you are out in front and riding by yourself and I think he will be good.”

Ward believes the key for Kurtz is to enjoy himself on a bike and avoid listening to opinions which could negatively affect his career.

The two-time world under-21 champion added: “It’s all in Brady’s own time and it’s up to him. I feel he needs to take a step back and just enjoy it, not listen to what everyone is saying, because I feel it gets to him sometimes and he can think he’s good in a way.

“But you just know when someone can ride a bike.

“I can’t say much more to Brady – I’ve already told him everything I know. He knows what’s got to be done and how to do it.”

Pirates: (from) Hans Andersen, Jack Holder, Lewis Kerr, Nick Morris (guest), Brady Kurtz, Nicolai Klindt, James Shanes.

Somerset: (from) Josh Grajczonek, Patrick Hougaard, Paul Starke, Rohan Tungate, Charles Wright, Jake Allen, Jan Graversen.