BLOG: HOLDER, NICKI OR HERBIE?

Wednesday 26th September 2012, 09:28

It’s all too easy for commentators and pundits to sit on the fence when giving predictions…writes Nigel Pearson.

But with one round to go in this year’s FIM World Championship surely you have a gut feeling who will be the new champion.

Sport is all about opinions and that’s part of the attraction. Whether you are sat watching TV, enjoying a drink or indeed tweeting others, different views are what make sport so fascinating.

So, Chris or Nicki for the title? Or will a certain Greg Hancock make a late surge and claw back 10-points in Torun?

Chris Holder is a fabulous talent on a bike and I recognised this when I first saw him ride for the Isle of Wight in the UK Premier League at Sheffield and Birmingham.

He went on to make the natural progression to ride for Poole, one of the consistently top teams in the Elite League and his emergence as a title contender is no major surprise.

The fact that he holds a two-point lead going into Torun works in his favour – but Chris is only too aware that can be wiped out in one race!

He’s got home track advantage as a Torun rider in the Polish league, but riders with the experience of Pedersen and Hancock have plenty of knowledge of the track.

So what of Nicki? The guy is box office. I always look forward to his races for different reasons.

But take away the controversial aspect of his game and he is a class act. His professionalism and organisation is second to none, he spends the winter working as hard on sponsorship and back-up teams as he does booking a well earned holiday!

With three world titles under his belt and momentum from Vojens at the weekend where he notched 20 points, there’s lots going in his favour.

Sadly, for Greg, although he won’t give up I believe a 10-point deficit is a step too far with only one round remaining.

So, Holder or Pedersen? I’ll go with the man with experience of previous title races, it’s Nicki for me – but not by much!

And it’s sure to be a GP finale to remember for a long, long time. Nine different winners in 11 rounds? That’s sensational!

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