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AWESOME AUSSIE: Chris Holder

PIRATES chief Matt Ford has labelled precocious talent Chris Holder "the Cristiano Ronaldo of speedway".

Ford has lavished rich praise on the emerging Aussie ace ahead of Pirates' potentially-mouthwatering Elite League showdown with Ipswich tonight.

Holder has been a revelation since stepping in to the top-flight with Poole this season, having served his British apprenticeship with Premier League Isle of Wight.

Arguably the hottest prospect in the business, Holder has taken the Elite League by storm after turning in a series of eye-catching displays for the Castle Cover-sponsored outfit.

The 20-year-old, who became a Poole asset in July 2006, rocketed to the top of their green sheet averages after making an instant impression at Wimborne Road.

"In all my time in speedway, I don't think I've ever seen anybody better than Chris at his age," said Ford.

"If I were going to compare him with anybody in football, it would have to be Cristiano Ronaldo," added Ford, whose comments come as Ronaldo prepares to line up for Manchester United in tonight's Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow.

Ford continued: "There have been outstanding talents in the sport and the riders who roll off your tongue are Jason Crump, Tony Rickardsson and Hans Nielsen. Chris is a modern-day icon, just as those guys are.

"These guys don't come along very often and are rare. I hope that everybody at Poole feels privileged that Chris has chosen to ply his trade here rather than elsewhere.

"He is such a laid-back guy and doesn't want a fuss made of anything but you find it hard not to shout from the rooftops about what an unbelievable rider he is.

"I would never have imagined that Chris would end the season as our number one rider but, if he continues the form that he's in now, that will be the case.

"He's focused, he knows what he's doing and is a great team player.

"When you have riders like that, they are a dream to work with.

"While we've got a lovely team spirit, it does help to have someone like Chris coming in and riding exceptionally well.

"In the space of two years, you have got this raw talent who is displaying the potential to turn into a world beater."

Holder looks set to return for Pirates against the Witches after sitting out Monday's narrow defeat at Belle Vue due to injury.

The reigning Australian champion sustained bruising and whiplash in a dramatic track spill at the world under-21 qualifiers in Poland on Sunday.

Discussing his season's exploits, Holder told the Daily Echo: "I wanted to start on the pace straight away and, so far, things have gone really well, even better than I thought."

Pirates: 1 Krzysztof Kasprzak, 2 Freddie Eriksson, 3 Chris Holder, 4 Magnus Zetterstrom, 5 Davey Watt, 6 Adam Skornicki, 7 Daniel Davidsson.

Ipswich: 1 Rider replacement for Chris Louis, 2 Robert Miskowiak, 3 Tobi Kroner, 4 Steve Johnston, 5 Jarek Hampel, 6 Piotr Swiderski, 7 Chris Schramm.

7:00am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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