Racing: Fast-finishing Holder wins Oz speedway title
Overtakes Batchelor in a thrillerAn in-form Chris Holder has saved his best until last to clinch the 2010 Australian Speedway Championship at the final round in Newcastle (NSW) last night.
Four points behind Troy Batchelor heading into the finale, Holder won the A-final in Newcastle, with his brilliant finish enough to give him the championship by a whisker - 56pts to 55.
It was Holder's second Aussie title in three years.
"I really had to fight for this one," Holder said. "This is a big track and everyone is really quick here so to make the final itself is a pretty good effort and having to go out and win it, there was a bit of pressure there but the fat lady hadn't sung.
"The pressure was on in that final heat, and Batchelor wouldn't give me much in that first corner, I would probably have done similar -- except I would probably give him a bit more room than he gave me, but now I couldn't care less!
"Now that the championship is done, I'll just send some stuff back to England and start getting ready for that season, I don't think I have to be back there until March so I'll just rest up until then and get ready."
It will be a huge year for Holder, who will also compete in the world title alongside Jason Crump.
Holder defeated Cameron Woodward, Darcy Ward and Rory Schlein in the A-final in Newcastle, while Batchelor won the B-final -- but he still fell agonisingly short of holding onto the championship lead he had held since round one in Gillman (SA) on January 2.
If Batchelor and Holder had finished on the same points, a run-off would have been required to break the deadlock.
Ward (51pts) was third overall, ahead of Schlein (48) and Cory Gathercole (39).
Photos by Chris Horne
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