Hancock clinched the title with victory in heat four at Melbourne having regained the series lead after the Hunter’s Jason Doyle was injured in a crash in the penultimate round in Poland.

The 46-year-old Hancock was given a warm reception and paid tribute to the home fans and riders Holder and the absent Doyle. 

“It was fantastic to win it here in the southern hemisphere,” he told Fullnoise.com.au.  “The Australian people deserve a lot of credit. Obviously they were missing Jason, which is a shame, but Chris won and what a great result.”

Hancock was disqualified from heat nine after being found guilty of not riding to the best of his ability. He withdrew from the rest of the meeting, but no further action was taken. 

Former world champion Holder claimed his first grand prix victory in 43 rounds beating home Tai Woffinden, Bartosz Zmarzlik and Antonio Lindback. 

“To be sitting here with the trophy in front of my home fans is amazing,” Holder said.

 “It’s sweet. It’s something we dream about doing – all us Aussie guys. This is the best feeling in the world apart from being the champ.”

The result gave him fourth place in the standings, with Britain’s Woffinden claiming silver and Poland’s Zmarzlik bronze.

Doyle was fifth despite not completing the final two rounds of the championship series. 

FINAL WORLD TITLE STANDINGS: