
It’s been a long, tough slog for Aussie shredder Chris Holder this season but he came back with a bang in a sodden German Speedway Grand Prix
48 hours of solid rain had put the event at risk and the track was swamped out just hours before the start, but the weather relented and the track staff worked tirelessly to make sure we got a race – and it was a brutal battle.
Teterow’s Bergring Arena may not be the biggest stadia on the tour but it creates an electric atmosphere and thousands of passionate German fans descended to get a glimpse of the best speedway racers in the world.
The conditions were tough and the racing even tougher but Holder made it look easy with his best performance of the season, scoring a season-high 14 points and taking fourth place on the night.
It was a night for making good starts and getting some fresh air and CH opened up with three straight wins to give him an instant confidence boost, and when he qualified on 12 points and then made the Final with a clever ride in the Semi it looked as if he could make his first podium of the year.
A place on the steps wasn’t to be as he got bogged down in the unfavourable outside gate but his performance was a timely reminder of just how good he can be when he’s on song. Not many racers have Chris’ ability and when his equipment matches his talent, he’s a force to be reckoned with.
The race itself was won by Slovenian veteran Matej Zagar, with Martin Vaculik in second and series leader Jason Doyle back in third place. It was a big night for Doyle as he stole a march on all of his Championship rivals, including Patryk Dudek and Tai Woffinden.
Dudek started on fire but tailed off slightly to finish his night on 11 points (Doyle got 17) while Woffinden suffered his toughest night since 2010 and ended on five.
Doyle now leads the series by 10 points and with three rounds to go he’s a hot favourite to take his first World Title, but anything can happen and our boys aren’t giving up.