Troy: I know I'm number one

TROY Batchelor put the disappointment of just missing out on the Australian Championship to claim: “I still did pretty well.”

Peterborough's big money winter signing from Swindon was pipped at the flag by Poole's Grand Prix star Chris Holder.

Even though he won the first two rounds, Troy's fifth place at Newcastle on Saturday night let Holder nip in to grab his second national senior title.

He finished one point ahead of the Panthers' new star even though he lost to him in five out of five championship races.

Batchelor said: “It sucks not to be Australian Champion - but I know I was the number one.

“Two third places in my first three rides on Saturday night did it - but I beat Holder every time we raced each other.

“He's a GP rider so I think I did pretty well and everyone knows I was the top rider over the three rounds.”

Batch will now go into the qualifiers for the 2011 Grand Prix series after taking the silver medal, his highest ever finish.

He added: “I want to get into the GP but I'm not in any rush. You only get one chance and it has to be the right time for me.”

A second place in Saturday night's semi-final opened the door for Holder who had to win the A Final to snatch a one-point overall victory.

Troy said: “The inside gate was so much better than any of the other starts all night and Darcy Ward had it in the semi.

“I tried to get over him and onto the grass but just missed out on getting there. It's a big fast track and even though I chased him for four laps I couldn't do anything. He's a big pal of Holder's so it was like racing against two riders all series.

“I'm really disappointed but these things happen and there's nothing I can do about it.

“Whatever anyone says everyone knows that I was the number one in the championship and that's good for me.”

World Under 21 title-holder Ward, who moved from King's Lynn to Poole last month took the bronze medal with Coventry's Rory Schlein fourth.