Speedway World Cup
Speedway World Cup: Australian reaction part 1: Holder and Watt.
By Admin
Jul 22, 2007, 11:39

Speedway world cup comments from Chris Holder and Davey Watt.

Holder better for the ride

Young sensation Chris Holder was probably the biggest winner in the Australian Team at the 2007 FIM Speedway World Cup, gaining invaluable experience that is likely to further progress his already bright Speedway future.

Holder has risen through the Speedway ranks rapidly, and to perform on the grandest stage of all while under the age of 21, was certainly not a feat that he will soon forget.

The young up-and-comer was the happiest of the Aussie crew, and speaking after the final, Holder admitted that he was stoked with how the event panned out.

“It was just one of those nights were it didn’t really work out for us and Poland were really good – unstoppable pretty much, and it just wasn’t happening tonight,” he admitted.

“But we got third, and third is better than last, so it was good.”

Holder only rode in three races citing a headache to the FIM doctor who gave clearance for Rory Schlein to take over in his remaining races.

“Yeah I had a headache.  Sometimes you have to try anything to win, and it didn’t work out but I’m happy with how it all is.”

Whilst a cool persona was held by all Australian riders throughout the event, Holder let loose afterwards admitting that even he had stars in his eyes with the notion of riding under such circumstances.

“I’m just stoked that I’m here and we got third place so I’m pretty happy with that.

“It’s awesome.  20-30,000 people standing there in the crowd – it’s not very often you get to ride in front of that, and it was just so cool. 

“It’s just awesome to be here with Crumpy and Sullivan and Adams, and hopefully I can be here for a long time.”

Holder will be competing in the Speedway Under 21 Championship final in September – an event that he is given an extremely strong chance of winning.

Watt points to the Joker

The man who was brought into the Australian Team ahead of the 2007 Speedway World Cup final, Dave Watt, was realistic in his appraisal of the how the event panned out.

While Australia’s other riders were hesitant to point out a defining moment in the final, Watt said that he could look no further than the unfortunate failed Joker ride of Jason Crump.

Speaking after the presentations were completed, Watt admitted that the failed Joker ride brought home the fact that the Aussies were out of the running to win the event.

“I think when Jason had an engine blow up on a Joker and touched the tapes, we knew straight away that it was going to be tough from there. 

“You have to get maximum points when you use that Joker and it’s very difficult to do, but we knew we had to do something. 

“Jason was riding fantastic and it was just absolutely bad luck and unfortunately it went downhill from there.”

Watt rode well to win his opening race, the fifth race of the meet, but could only manage one more point in his next four races – a result he put down to the track conditions.

“The bike worked well and the track was quite grippy to start with which suits me a lot more and as the night wore on it got pretty slick,” he said.

I just had too much power and couldn’t slow the bike down enough to get any traction. 

It was an extremely tough competition – it’s a World Cup final, and I wouldn’t expect anything less, so it was difficult for me tonight but we all had a really tough time. 

“It’s something we need to work at and hopefully improve on next year.”

As the saying goes, there is no rest for the wicked, and Watt will now continue gallivanting around Europe competing in several domestic leagues, where he is doing quite well.

“I am heading straight off for seven hours down where I have a meeting tomorrow and then fly back to England and straight back out to Sweden. 

“It’s just so busy but it’s going to be fantastic to hopefully see the rest of the season out well. 

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m very happy with all my engines.  I feel very comfortable on the bike now and it’s getting better and better, so hopefully I can do well over the next few months.”