HOLDER BANNED FROM BRITISH LEAGUES

Former world champion Chris Holder has been hit with a 28-day ban from the SGB Premiership following King’s Lynn’s controversial clash with Poole at the Adrian Flux Arena last Thursday.

The suspension, which doesn’t stop him racing at the Adrian Flux British SGP in Cardiff on Saturday or in Sweden or Poland, comes after the Sydneysider allegedly refused to ride in two of his races in Stars’ 52-40 loss to the Pirates, with the home side reportedly unhappy over track conditions.

Holder retired from heat four, before breaching the two-minute time allowance for heats seven and 13. He picked up a second place in race 11 when he took a tactical ride.

The meeting also saw Aussie international Troy Batchelor withdraw after two rides with a wrist injury, although he guested for Swindon in place of Jason Doyle the following evening.

GB star Robert Lambert and German racer Kai Huckenbeck also failed to make the two-minute time allowance for heat nine, after which the meeting was delayed while extensive track work took place.

In a statement last Friday, angry Stars promoter Keith Chapman hit out at his riders for their reluctance to race as fans fumed over a farcical night.

He said: “I have put my heart and soul into this club and I take things like this personally. I am as angry and frustrated as every supporter. However, I must offer our apologies because the paying public are the lifeblood of the sport. I spoke to many fans last night and apologised to them all.

“I was extremely disappointed with the attitude of certain riders. When you looked at the Poole guys, they were out there ready to race.

“The race times were reasonable but clearly some riders didn’t fancy it and there was no thought for the fans.

“I agree rider safety has to be paramount, but when the Poole riders have no problem, I have to question the attitude of certain riders in my team.”

SpeedwayGP.com was unable to reach Chris Holder for comment.