CHRIS Holder has revealed how Darcy Ward’s positive outlook is helping him to shake off the sadness of his best friend’s plight.

The 2012 world champion had a hard time dealing with the crash that left Ward in a wheelchair in August but lauded his right-hand man for lifting the gloom.

Holder told the Daily Echo: “Just seeing the progress from him and how he is dealing with it is one of the biggest things, to see him powering on and going for it.

“We talk a couple of times a week and he’s not bitter or anything, he is putting up with it well and pushing forward all the time.

“He talks about speedway and how everything is going and that’s excellent. When I see that, it makes me feel a lot better.”

  • For the lowdown on Ward's progress, his trip to America over the winter and how British speedway is coming to terms with last year's accident, watch the video.