Monday August 28, 2023
SHEFFIELD can confirm the signing of 2012 World Champion Chris Holder as part of a double deadline day switch.

The Aussie is joined by Dane Claus Vissing, who helped Swindon to the Premiership title four years ago.

The pair replace Adam Ellis and Lewis Kerr and come into the team from Thursday’s (August 31, 7.30) home clash against King’s Lynn.

Club bosses can also confirm that triple World Champion Tai Woffinden will remain with the club for the rest of the season in place of Jack Holder.

Tru Plant Tigers co-promoter Damien Bates said: “As a club we didn’t ideally want to make any changes but one or two things have happened over the past few days which means our hand has been forced.

“Firstly, we’ve been in regular discussions with Jack (Holder) since he broke his wrist and we’ve been monitoring his situation closely.

“Jack has been honest about where he is at and whilst he is close to getting back on a bike he doesn’t want to let Sheffield down should he realise he’s not quite 100 per cent race fit.

“Obviously we’re pretty gutted about that as we would’ve loved Jack to have been back with us for the business end of the season after everything he’s given to the club the rest of this year.

“What that has enabled us to do is keep hold of Tai until the end of the season which, on the other hand, is a massive boost for Sheffield Speedway.

“Elsewhere, recent commitment issues from other riders in the team suddenly gave us a bit of a headache and at such an important time of the season we felt it was something we simply had to address.

“It’s great to see Chris Holder back in British Speedway and this is yet another coup for the club because he is still a top class rider.

“Coming into the middle order of the team, we feel Chris can do a job for Sheffield and we know he’s going to slot in pretty much instantly as he’s been at a number of our meetings this season.

“As for Claus, he’s had a solid season with Glasgow in the Championship, he brings with him plenty of experience and he is ready to show why he’s worthy of a team spot in the top league once again.

“I hope this now creates a more settled environment at Sheffield; there has been way too much uncertainty for my liking out of nowhere recently that has mainly come from rumours.

“Our focus is to now make sure we get into that top four and have a real good go at going one further and winning the league.”

A reminder that the Tru Plant Tigers are at Wolverhampton tonight (Monday, August 28, 8pm) with Kyle Newman guesting at reserve.