Chris Holder facts for kids
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| Born | 24 September 1987 Sydney, New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| Great Britain | |
| 2006–2007 | Isle of Wight |
| 2008–2013, 2015 | Poole |
| 2023–2025 | Sheffield |
| Poland | |
| 2007 | Wrocław |
| 2008–2021 | Toruń |
| 2022, 2024 | Ostrów |
| 2023 | Leszno |
| Sweden | |
| 2007, 2012–2015 | Piraterna |
| 2008–2011, 2016–2018 | Lejonen |
| 2019–2022 | Indianerna |
| 2023 | Västervik |
| Denmark | |
| 2014 | Region Varde |
| 2024 | Slangerup |
| Speedway Grand Prix statistics | |
| Starts | 94 |
| Podiums | 20 (5-8-7) |
| Finalist | 24 time |
| Winner | 5 times |
| Individual honours | |
| 2012 | World Champion |
| 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 | Australian Champion |
| 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 | Australian Under-21 Champion |
| 2005, 2006 | Australian Long Track Champion |
| 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 | NSW State Champion |
| 2008 | WA State Champion |
| 2014 | Golden Helmet of Pardubice |
| Team honours | |
| 2008 | Polish league champion |
| 2008, 2011, 2013 2014, 2015, 2023 |
UK league champion |
| 2009 | UK Pairs Champion |
| 2024 | UK Knockout Cup winner |
| 2008, 2009 | Swedish league champion |
| 2024 | Danish league champion |
Christopher Robert Holder (born September 24, 1987, in Sydney, New South Wales) is an amazing Australian speedway rider. He made history by becoming the 2012 World Speedway Champion. Chris has also won the Australian championship five times. He is known for his exciting racing style and many achievements in speedway.
Chris Holder's Speedway Journey
Early Career and Junior Success
Chris Holder started his speedway journey at a young age. He quickly showed incredible talent. He won the Australian Under-21 Speedway Championship four times in a row. This happened from 2005 to 2008. He also finished second twice in the Individual Speedway Junior World Championship. These achievements showed he was a rising star.
In 2006, Chris began racing in the United Kingdom. He joined the Isle of Wight Islanders team. The next year, he helped his team win the Premier League Pairs Championship. He also helped them win the Premier League Four-Team Championship. This was a great start to his international career.
Racing Across Europe
Chris didn't just race in the UK. He also competed in Poland and Sweden. In 2007, he rode for Atlas Wrocław in Poland. He then joined KS Toruń in 2008. With Toruń, he helped them win the Polish league championship.
In Sweden, Chris raced for Lejonen. He helped them win the Swedish Elitserien championship in both 2008 and 2009. This showed he could win titles with different teams.
In 2008, Chris also joined the Poole Pirates in the UK. He helped them win the Elite League Championship. This meant he won league titles in three different countries in one year!
Representing Australia
Chris has proudly represented Australia many times. He rode for the Australian team in the Speedway World Cup. In 2007, they finished third. In 2009, they achieved an even better result, finishing second. He continued to be a key rider for Australia in many World Cup events.
Becoming a World Champion
One of Chris's biggest dreams came true in 2012. He won the British Speedway Grand Prix in Cardiff. This was a major step towards his goal.
On October 7, 2012, Chris Holder became the Speedway World Champion! He joined a special group of Australian riders. This group includes legends like Jason Crump. Winning this title is the highest individual honor in speedway.
Overcoming Challenges
After his big win, Chris faced some tough challenges. In 2013, he had a serious crash. He suffered several injuries, including a broken hip. This meant he had to stop racing for the rest of the season.
But Chris is a true fighter. He worked hard to recover. In January 2014, he made an amazing comeback. He won his fifth Australian Individual Speedway Championship title. This showed his incredible determination.
He continued to compete in the Speedway Grand Prix series. In 2016, he won the Australian SGP. This victory helped him finish fourth in the World Championship standings that year. It was a strong return to form after his injuries.
Recent Achievements
In 2023, Chris was part of the Australian team. They finished fourth in the 2023 Speedway World Cup final. He also had success with the Sheffield Tigers in the UK. He helped them win the Knockout Cup in 2024. Chris also helped Slangerup win the Danish Speedway League in 2024.
Family in Speedway
Speedway runs in the Holder family! Chris's younger brother, Jack Holder, is also a very successful speedway rider. Jack is a World team champion. Their brother, James Holder, also rode in the UK.
Major Results
World Individual Championship
- 2010 – 8th place, 96 points
- 2011 – 8th place, 101 points
- 2012 – World Champion, 160 points
- 2013 – 12th place, 82 points
- 2014 – 7th place, 100 points
- 2015 – 8th place, 95 points
- 2016 – 4th place, 126 points
- 2017 – 10th place, 85 points
- 2018 – 12th place, 65 points
Grand Prix Wins
- 1: 2010 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
- 2: 2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden
- 3: 2012 Speedway Grand Prix of Europe
- 4: 2012 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
- 5: 2016 Speedway Grand Prix of Australia
Speedway World Cup
- 2007 –
Leszno – 3rd place - 2008 –
Vojens – 4th place - 2009 – Leszno – 2nd place
- 2011 – Gorzów Wielkopolski – 2nd place
- 2012 –
Målilla – 2nd place - 2014 – Bydgoszcz – 3rd place
- 2015 – Vojens – 4th place
- 2016 –
Manchester – 4th place - 2023 – Wrocław – 4th place
Individual U-21 World Championship
- 2006 –
Terenzano – 12th place - 2007 – Ostrów Wielkopolski – 2nd place
- 2008 –
Pardubice – 2nd place
