PIRATES star Chris Holder tonight played the peacemaker role as Greg Hancock and Nicki Pedersen were involved in a shocking on-track fracas in Sweden.

Former Poole ace Hancock appeared to have his front wheel taken away by Grand Prix rival Pedersen in heat 15 of Piraterna's 50-40 home win over Dackarna.

Moments later, after the race had been stopped and Pedersen had completed another lap, Hancock knocked the Dane off his bike with a flying clothesline.

Holder immediately pulled Pedersen away in a bid to limit the conflict and the Aussie then led a seething Hancock – renowned as one of speedway's most likeable characters – back to the pits.

A YouTube video of the incident provoked much interest among riders and fans alike on Twitter with Pirates asset Darcy Ward among those to react.

Ward tweeted: "My hero" and tagged Hancock in the same post before later adding "I say what you all thinking. I'm sticking by it."

Watch the full video from Motala below.