Steve Shovlar 10,439 Posted November 20, 2013 Poole Pirates: Chris Holder set to take break from British racing1:00pm Wednesday 20th November 2013 in Sport Exclusive By Ian WadleyPIRATES HERO: Chris HolderMATT Ford has revealed that Poole hero Chris Holder will not start next season with Pirates as he is set to take a temporary break from British racing.As exclusively reported by the Daily Echo via Twitter, Ford has ruled Holder out of contention to be named in Poole’s initial one-to-seven for the 2014 campaign.Holder, who has yet to comment, is Pirates’ ninth all-time scorer after enjoying huge success during his six successive years with the Wimborne Road outfit.But Ford said that run would come to an end as the 2012 world champion prepared to balance his commitments in the Grand Prix, Poland and Sweden.Ford, who was keen to stress that Holder remained fully committed to featuring in his parent club’s long-term future, said the decision had been made during talks last night.He told the Daily Echo: “Chris has decided that, after taking advice from previous world champions, it may be the right time for him to have fewer commitments for next season. He has decided not to start the year in the UK in terms of the British league but he will certainly be here for Gary Havelock’s testimonial on Friday, March 21, which is when we are looking to start the campaign.“We also intend to ask whoever we are riding against in challenge matches whether it is possible for Chris to ride for Pirates at home and away in those fixtures. We will also look for some other fixtures for him to get him busy during the first couple of weeks of the season.”Ford said Holder, who is on the comeback trail following a crash at Coventry in July, could still feature for Pirates at some stage during the season.The promoter added: “I cannot make this clear enough, mine and Chris’s conversation was accepted and understood by both parties.“If anything were to happen to our number one, he will be immediately in the team at the drop of a hat.“He is not walking away from Poole. There is not a chance that he would do that.“He is adamant he wants to be part of the club’s future so it is a short-term thing.”While Ford politely declined to discuss his team-building plans, the news suggests Darcy Ward is the hot favourite to be named as Pirates’ captain and number one. ------------------------------------------------ Gutting news not only for Poole but to lose a recent World Champ is a shame for the league as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ekimba 319 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) "But Ford said that run would come to an end as the 2012 world champion prepared to balance his commitments in the Grand Prix, Poland and Sweden" So there we have it, final confirmation of where UK is in the pecking order of speedway edit just noticed the ad at the top of the screen Edited November 20, 2013 by ekimba 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy jimmy 298 Posted November 20, 2013 "But Ford said that run would come to an end as the 2012 world champion prepared to balance his commitments in the Grand Prix, Poland and Sweden" So there we have it, final confirmation of where UK is in the pecking order of speedway . That can't come as a surprise can it? He earns more in a race in Poland than he would in a match for Poole. He is returning from serious injury and would be faced with 36 matches in the UK alone. If I was him, I would do the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunty 189 Posted November 20, 2013 Alot of this will be that he still has injuries to overcome, alot will also be that he is said more meetings but less money would see him pull out of british speedway! How many more to follow? .That can't come as a surprise can it? He earns more in a race in Poland than he would in a match for Poole. He is returning from serious injury and would be faced with 36 matches in the UK alone. If I was him, I would do the same. Alot of this will be that he still has injuries to overcome, alot will also be that he is said more meetings but less money would see him pull out of british speedway! How many more to follow? Freaky that...Basicly saying the same thing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Leslie 3,213 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) MATT Ford has revealed that Poole hero Chris Holder will not start next season with Pirates as he is set to take a temporary break from British racing. Translation: We'll leave him out until we've fiddled the averages to bring him back in alongside Darcy. Ford said Holder, who is on the comeback trail following a crash at Coventry in July, could still feature for Pirates at some stage during the season. Once we've fiddled the averages. Edited November 20, 2013 by John Leslie 22 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pirate Nick 1,801 Posted November 20, 2013 No need to fiddle the averages, we'll just write a new rule 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sophies Mate 31 Posted November 20, 2013 to be honest not surprised, suspect there will be others that will sit out to start with and if their season finishes or looks like to finsh early else where such as Poland then think we may see a few doing what Greg did last year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poole Quay 7 616 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) Sad but not surprising news. Good luck Chris with getting back to full fitness - which is far more important than where he rides. Edited November 20, 2013 by Poole Quay 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
houdi 535 Posted November 20, 2013 Dress it up anyway you want, the bottom line is he is turning his back on British Speedway. He is not being forced out by the points limit, or 1 rider over 8.0001 each, that was so popular on the South Coast but 2 years ago. We are continually fed the line that Ford runs a successful and profitable business, so money can't clearly be the issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
david2905 230 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) Unsuprising, if we are serious about cutting costs then either the top GP's riders have to lower their demands or ride elsewhere until such a time the British League can sustain them, and I mean properly sustain, not a heavy subsidy from a wealthy backer who could move on one day and leave the club concerned in the lurch. Bit of a shame Poole have seemingly chosen Darcy instead as Chris seems to have a bit more going on upstairs. Edited November 20, 2013 by david2905 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony159 46 Posted November 20, 2013 . After his injuries a year with far less travelling and fewer meetings makes perfect sense. Sure we will all see him back riding full time in the U.K in the future. Like to wish him all the best for a successful injury free 2014.. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liam 376 Posted November 20, 2013 Gutted i won't see chris riding over here. Good luck with the recovery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topaz325 1,856 Posted November 20, 2013 Not bothered , another place for a Brit. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BritPete 625 Posted November 20, 2013 Translation: We'll leave him out until we've fiddled the averages to bring him back in alongside Darcy. Once we've fiddled the averages. You beat me to it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Antebellum 87 Posted November 20, 2013 He's had two big injuries in recent seasons, and is at a point in his career, and his life, where he may wish to work less. If he is turning his back on Poole this season, the 30-odd meetings he'll miss out on would potentially earn Chris at least £100K. It isn't about money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites