Holder continues speedway pre-eminence

Chris Holder is just one round away from adding a third Australian Solo Speedway Championship to his collection, following another brilliant performance in Broken Hill on Australia Day.

Holder made it three wins from as many rounds, coming from behind to edge out British league team-mate teammate Davey Watt in the final, with Kozza Smith and Rory Schlein third and fourth.

Schlein had earlier won the B Final to earn the last spot in the night’s showpiece.

The win increases Holder’s championship buffer to 7pts (60 to 53) over Watt, with Schlein (45) moving into third overall following a horror night for world under 21 champion Darcy Ward (43).

Ward, who struggled to find any rhythm and needing a final heat win to book a ride in the B Final, suffered a mechanical failure, ending his night.

Cory Gathercole (41pts) is the only other rider who could still win the championship at the final round in Mildura (Vic) on Saturday, January 29, although a series of extraordinary results would have to fall his way.

Broken Hill results

Qualifying: Davey Watt (3-2-2-3-3) 13, Chris Holder (2-3-3-3-2) 13, Kozza Smith (3-3-3-ret-3) 12, Justin Sedgmen (3-3-1-2-3) 12, Cameron Woodward (1-2-1-3-3) 10, Rory Schlein (1-2-3-2-1) 9, Sam Masters (2-1-3-1-2) 9, Cory Gathercole (0-1-2-3-2) 8, Ty Proctor (1-3-0-2-1) 7, Darcy Ward (2-1-2-2-ret) 7, Kyle Newman (0-2-2-1-1) 6, Richard Sweetman (2-0-1-0-2) 5, Taylor Poole (3-0-1-ns-ns) 4, Mitchell Davey (1-1-0-0-0) 2, Arlo Bugeja (0-0-0-1-1) 2, Ryan Sedgmen (ret-0-0-0-0) 0. Reserve: Robert Medson (1-1) 2.

B Final: Schlein, Woodward, J Sedgmen, Masters.

A Final: Holder, Watt, Smith, Schlein.

Overall standings: Holder 60, Watt 53, Schlein 45, Ward 43, Gathercole 41, Smith 37, Woodward 37, J Sedgmen 36, Proctor 36, Masters 33, Doyle 29, Sweetman 26, Poole 17, Newman 15, Bugeja 10, Davey 9, Brenton Barnfield 2, R Sedgmen 2.

Pic: Chris Horne