Chris Holder completed a stunning comeback from injury winning his fifth Australian Speedway Solo Championship on a dramatic nights racing at South Australia‰Ûªs Gillman Speedway on Saturday night.
Holder was equal with fellow New South Welshmen Jason Doyle coming into the deciding round of the series.
Leicester signing Doyle was in scintillating form, winning all five of his heats to have first gate choice in the final. Holder‰Ûªs night was not so smooth winning just two of his heat races.
After winning one of the two previous rounds each, Holder and Doyle were making it a two horse race, as nearest rival Troy Bachelor‰Ûªs withdrawal from the meeting meant he couldn‰Ûªt defend his national title.
A bumper crowd saw both title leaders make the final, the first direct qualification through to the A-final in the series for Holder.
In an all NSW final, Doyle made a jet propelled start with the 2012 World Champion Holder in hot pursuit. A cruel twist of fate followed on Lap 2, as Doyle‰Ûªs bike locked up spitting him violently into the air fence.
Not only was Doyle excluded but also his chances of winning a maiden title lay in the shale as Holder only needed to finish the re-run to claim his fifth championship.
In the re-run Hunter Valley flyer Rohan Tungate won the night with Holder‰Ûªs second place enough to secure title number 5, whilst Kurri Kurri‰Ûªs Mason Campton was third on the night.
‰ÛÏI‰Ûªm wrapped to come away with a win, it‰Ûªs been a long six months to get back from injury." Holder stated. "I wanted to use it as a stepping stone to get going.
"I had some tough nights, I battled through and finished in the top two in all three rounds. I‰Ûªm really happy with that.‰Û
