CHRIS Holder has spoken warmly about stricken Leigh Adams and says he will be praying for the speedway legend he describes as “the complete package”.

Adams, one of the shale sport’s greats who retired last year, suffered serious injuries after crashing during practice for the annual Finke Desert race in his native Australia on Tuesday.

The former Pirates star, who competed for Poole in 1989 and 2003, was flown from Alice Springs to Adelaide for treatment.

A press release issued yesterday by Leigh Adams Racing confirmed that the 40-year-old had sustained several injuries including fractured vertebrae, extensive spinal cord damage, punctured lungs, broken ribs, a broken scapula and a small neck fracture.

The statement revealed that Adams underwent a six-hour operation on his back to stabilise and strengthen his injured spine. Surgeons were said to be very happy with the outcome while Adams’s wife, Kylie, said he was doing better than expected.

Holder, Pirates’ current number one, lodged with Adams during the Australian Championships and sees the legend as one of his major speedway inspirations.

Speaking before and after helping Pirates to a 56-36 win over Wolves on Wednesday, the Grand Prix ace sent his best wishes to Adams after describing him as the “number one”.

Holder told the Echo: “Fingers crossed, he will be fine.

“If you ask anyone in Australian speedway, Leigh Adams is the man. He is no one’s enemy and everyone gets on with him.

“He is such a cool guy and, on a bike, he is the perfect rider to look up to and watch how to ride. He has got the perfect style and everything about how he rode was perfect.

“It takes two parts – on the bike and off the bike – and I think he was pretty much the complete package.

“I look up to Leigh massively and he is huge. It is so sad to see what has happened.

“Fingers crossed, everything is going to pull through for him and I’m sure he’ll be doing his best as well.

“I send out my best wishes to his wife Kylie and his kids. There is nothing you can really do to help and you have just got to pray for him to hang in there and hope it all works out.”

In a statement, Adams’s wife Kylie said: “He has no feeling in his legs at present except a little bit in one thigh. But that situation could certainly change and improve in the weeks and months ahead.

“He faces a long hard road to recovery. He’s currently in intensive care but could be moved out today into the special spinal unit. He’s actually very stable and probably a bit too well to be in intensive care.

“He’s very alert and talking. Leigh has no head injuries at all which is wonderful news. He’s just very sleepy due to the pain medication being administered.”

Anyone wishing to email Leigh a message of support can do so by emailing srn@speedway.com.au.