mmg.com.au

Goulburn Valley Motorcycle Club has secured World Speedway champion Chris Holder for its pairs event this month.

Holder, Australia’s fifth world champion, competed at the same event at Undera Park Speedway last year when he was ranked No.8 in the world.

The event will be staged on Saturday, February 9.

Last year, he finished second despite winning five-of-five races, partnering Shepparton’s Jackson Milne.

Club spokesman Keith Anderson said the club was thrilled to confirm the reigning world champion’s return.

‘‘We have just found out and it is sensational,’’ Anderson said.

‘‘We haven’t completed the field just yet, but with Chris being the world No.1, our own Dakota North, the recently crowned Australian No.2, and Mansfield’s Max Fricke, winner of the under-21 Australian title, it is sure to be top notch.’’

He said the aforementioned trio made 12 confirmed starters.

‘‘When word gets out that Chris is in, we wouldn’t be surprised if we have more very keen to get involved,’’ he said.

Holder was a star junior rider, before snagging his first senior Australian title in 2008.

He rides in the British Elite League.

Holder smashed the previous track record of 57.01sec, set in 1992, when he flew around the Undera track in 55.63 last year.

Holder, 25, commitment caps a bumper month for the club, which successfully staged the second round of the Australian Solo Championships on January 9.

A crowd of more than 2000 attended.

Anderson said he expected this to be bigger again.

‘‘When you have the world No.1, people want to get there,’’ he said.