WORLD champion Chris Holder has warned Darcy Ward that he will only live up to his box-office billing if he avoids cutting corners in the GP.

Holder is backing his compatriot and Pirates team-mate to challenge for the Grand Prix title in his debut campaign – but insists he must be prepared.

The Turbo Twins will go head to head in an intriguing battle for global domination when Ward enters the GP field full-time in 2013. Bookmakers are split over which Australian speedway superstar to go with as both are vying for favouritism among the major betting firms.

Pirates captain Holder, 25, believes Ward possesses undoubted quality, which he has displayed throughout his time in the Elite League.

However, Holder also says riding permanently on the biggest stage presents the toughest of challenges in the shale sport.

Holder told the Daily Echo: “I think he will do well. There is no doubt that he can ride a bike.

“But the Grand Prix is a bit of a different story and there are a lot of things that can wear you down really fast. There are a lot of mental things. You can come in and do a GP here and there and not have to worry about a thing, but it is a big ask. I think if he has all that side of things in place, then he will do well.

“But if he cuts any corners and doesn’t do all the right things, it will catch up with him and wear him down. But he has seen what I have gone through in the past few years so he has got a pretty good idea what to expect.

“I think he will be good and one of the top guys going for the title.”

The opening GP of 2013 is in New Zealand on March 23.