Reigning champion Holden to take on legend (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Reigning champion Holden to take on legend

5:10pm Thursday 31st May 2012 in Motor sport

MELLOR BROOK sidecar driver John Holden insists shadowing Tourist Trophy legend Dave Molyneux is the only option as he eyes another memorable trip to the Isle of Man.

Holden, 55, made personal history last year by bagging his first ever TT win having finished as a runner-up on five occasions, however thoughts of a repeat performance have been rocked by the return of Molyneux.

With 14 TT wins to his name, Molyneux is peerless in the sidecar world and is returning – having hung up his leathers in 2009.

However, while he’s been out of the game for nearly three years, he’s certainly lost none of the respect from his rivals, Holden more than most.

Having raced Suzuki machinery for the majority of his TT career, the Mellor Brook rider has switched to follow Molyneux on to a Kawasaki for 2012 following an off-season rule change.

“I am running Kawasaki machinery this year but it wasn’t really a big decision as the rule changes suit the Kawasaki a bit more and the other reason was that Dave Molyneux is using the Kawasaki,” said Holden, the partner of Fiona Baker-Milligan.

“Dave is quite forthcoming with his information and so once I knew he was using a Kawasaki I wanted to use it and it’s all going well so far.

“Dave is the best sidecar rider in TT history so it is going to be very hard to beat him this year.

“But if I can just get my act together then hopefully I will stand a good chance.”

It is a case of in one door out the other for Holden in 2012, with Molyneux’s return tempered by the retirement of Holden’s long-time rival and three-time TT winner Klaus Klaffenbock.

But for a machinery malfunction last year Klaffenbock was all set to pip Holden in his debut race win.

However, regardless of his rivals in the paddock, Holden is confident he has got his own house in order ahead of the opening sidecar race on Saturday.

“The best thing is that I have got Andy Winkle as a passenger again this year,” added Holden.

“We have won one now so there is a bit of pressure off and we can go and enjoy it.”

Holden and passenger Winkle have enjoyed a decent start to practice week and lapped the Mountain at 108.281 on Tuesday.

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