IF his ears weren’t ringing, the alarm bells certainly were. Against the backdrop of raucous scenes of excitement and amid a cacophony of air horns and screaming fans, Chris Holder’s Millennium Stadium hopes looked all but over.

Champion of last year’s British Grand Prix in Cardiff, the silverware looked a long way off for Poole Pirates’ star man after he managed just one point from his opening two rides.

“I was worried,” confessed Holder, speaking to the Daily Echo after the biggest event on world speedway’s calendar.

“It could have been that I was trying too hard and, in the first race, I was rushing a bit. In the second, I had no answer and just wasn’t fast enough.”

But Holder’s fans, who travelled to Wales in good numbers and proudly donned their Pirates and Australian colours, need not have been concerned.

The 23-year-old, outstanding so far this season, was just about to begin his charge.

After his disappointing start, Holder secured three successive heat wins to ease through as third qualifier for the semi-finals.

“We made a couple of changes to my bike and bang, she was firing,” revealed Holder. “It was so quick and I was really happy with how it was going.”

Once Kenneth Bjerre had been excluded for breaking the tapes, Holder was in prime position to advance into the final out of gate three. He did so by getting the better of Nicki Pedersen with Poole asset Magnus Zetterstrom, a last-minute replacement for the showpiece event, ending his marvellous night one short of race 23.

After Emil Sayfutdinov had been excluded for a fall, Holder lined up against Pedersen and popular veteran Greg Hancock, who had been exceptional all evening, in the re-run final.

The outcome was decided on the first turn. In an epic tussle, Holder came off worse, with Hancock roaring clear just ahead of Pedersen.

Hancock’s win – coupled with a forgettable evening for Tomasz Gollob – propelled the American to the top of the Grand Prix standings. Holder, meanwhile, lifted himself into third spot.

The Pirates star said: “It would have been nice to come out on top but those boys (Hancock and Pedersen) were also going well.

“The final was a tough couple of corners. Some you win, some you lose, and I lost out this time.”

Discussing the unique Millennium Stadium experience, Holder added: “You are so nervous and trying to concentrate but there are so many people shouting and yelling.

“It is hard to keep focused on what you are trying to do without getting too caught up in it.

“But I am stoked. I won last year and came back and got third so that was good. I am lucky enough just to experience Cardiff. It is so cool and I am happy with that. There is nothing like this event.”