R.I.P. Bronte Holland: 7 Oct 1987- 5 June 2009
Thursday, 04 June 2009 23:30
** UPDATED 9/6/09: Bronte's funeral will be held at Kaniva Football Oval at 1:30pm on June 12 (Friday). The town of Kaniva is about five hours from Melbourne as you head towards Adelaide. **
This morning we woke to the tragic news that one of our good mates, Bronte Holland had suddenly passed away during the night.
It’s believed Bronte “Hurricane” Holland, 21, suffered a heart attack and a stroke yesterday, and was taken to Frankston Hospital (south of Melbourne) where he was put on life support. He was kept alive until doctors found someone who needed his organs at around 12.30am this morning.
Throughout the day yesterday he was surrounded by his family and his tight-knit group of friends, the Southside crew.
Ever since Bronte was 3 years old he has lived and breathed motorbikes. When he was five years of age he had his first race, and from there on him and his family travelled all over Australia winning various State and National titles.
At the age of 16 Bronte decided he had to move from the small country town of Kaniva to the big smoke of Melbourne, where all the riders and tracks were, but because of the deal he had secured with Honda he decided to go and spend a year in Bendigo, Victoria, with his mechanic at that time Bill Edwards. He was also riding on a factory support ride through Elliot bros Honda.
2004 started off great with Bronte podiuming his first ever Supercross in the SEL series, but then having it taken off him due to him and Daniel Mcoy causing the stoppage of the race.
Bronte then went on to finish inside the top 10 until round 5 where he broke all the bones in his right foot and every toe, which put him out of the 2004 MX series.
2005 didnt start off much better – after not having any teams interested he moved to Melbourne and worked and rode a privateer Suzuk,i but got injured again putting himself out of the Mr MX series. Luckily he made some finals in the Supercross Masters and managed a podium position in the last round of 2005.
For 2006 he secured a semi factory ride with Jeff Leisk and Team Moterex KTM. Bronte was pumped to finally be on a machine he believed he could win on the first round of the SX he managed a 4th and then won the next round, yet to have that taken off him and put back to 2nd, leaving him siting in 2nd position in the championship.
Bronte only managed 4 rounds of the Motocross before getting injured, but was fastest as every round. However he smashed his knee cap and got golden staff, which ended any hopes of a good MX series result and made it hard for the SX, but he still managed to finish in 4th overall for 2006!
For 2007 he signed a deal with Team 7 Yamaha and everything was in place for Bronte to finally put a full year together with no excuses. After running 3rd nearly the whole Main of the opening Supercross Season, he went down, putting him back to 9th. Then the very next Tuesday would prove to change his life forever – on the 13th of February he broke C7 in his neck, leaving him paralysed from the chest down and wheelchair-bound, with specialists giving him no hance of ever walking again.
Since then, Bronte had his ups and downs as he struggled to come to terms with his new way of life. However, through it all, with the same grit and determination he used on the track, Hollando left doctors amazed with his progress. In less than two years he learnt to stand with the aid of a walking frame, and could even walk to a certain extent. At the same time, feeling began to return to his body.
In classic Bronte Holland fashion, the young Victorian wasn’t happy to sit around, and recently began working as an assistant editor for Stroke Magazine, as well as working getting his 711 Coaching Clinics off the ground.
Earlier this year when we approached him to be a presenter on our latest DVD, RidersProject Bronte was more than keen to give it a crack, and found commentary and MCing came naturally.
Bronte was one of the nicest blokes on the MX paddock. He always seemed to have time for everyone, and had a real knack of making you smile and feel important. His determination both when racing on the track, and his two-year fight back from the spinal injury, inspired countless amounts of people.
The Australian motorcycling industry has lost another bright young star, and his passing will leave a gaping void that will never be completely filled.
Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with the Holland family and his close friends during this hard time.
Rest In Peace, mate, you’ll be greatly missed.
Funeral details to follow...
BRONTE HOLLAND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2000- 1st A grade 80cc Vic State Title, 3rd S.A 80cc State Title
2001- 3rd Australian 80cc Title and Picking up Honda Racing Australia's 125cc HRA ride!
2002- 3rd Australian 125cc Title, 1st Vic State MX and SX Title
2003- 3rd Australian 125cc Title, 1st Vic State MX and SX Title second rider ever to go back to back 125cc A grade VIC State Titles, 2nd in Roost Rookies was leading up until last round but couldn't go due to State Titles and ADBs Most Improved Rider!
2004- 2nd in first ever Senior Race in SEL SX series to have it taken away days later!
2005- 3rd at Wollongong Rd 5 Supercross Masters, 9th in series!
2006- 2nd Rd 2 of Supercross Masters also Won but had it taken away Robbed, 4th Over all in Supercross Masters, 5th at Rd 3 of Mr Motocross at Wonthaggi was running 4th overall got injured out for series.
2007- Getting Team 7 Yamaha ride and Standing for the first time after breaking his neck in Feb 2007 and doctors saying he would never stand, walk even get out of bed by himself done it all within the first year except walked unassisted in everyday living.
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