World title contender Robert Lambert believes holding his nerve to deliver his third Cab Direct British Speedway Championship as the red-hot favourite only steels him to thrive under pressure in Speedway GP.
Lambert cruised through the heats with a 15-point maximum at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium, but still had to win the final to finish the job. He quickly fought his way to the front from the tapes to triumph ahead of 2019 champion Charles Wright, who finished second to claim the 2027 FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain wild card. Former SGP2 star Leon Flint was third, with 16-year-old sensation Cooper Rushen placed fourth.
Having fallen short of a sensational six-ride maximum in the BST FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla on July 11, Lambert knew the pressure was on as he raced to finish the job and add to his 2018 and 2025 British titles.
He dealt with it superbly in a meeting broadcasted live on ITV4 and ITVX – the first time the sport has been televised free-to-air in the UK in 41 years.
Asked about coming into the event as a huge favourite, Lambert said: “In one way it was hard, and in another way, it was good. You have confidence because you’re the one to beat, but it was tough.
“It’s good to be in that position and know how to be in that kind of environment. That will help me later on in the GPs.
“Winning the British Final again is pretty incredible. When you win all five heats and it comes down to the final, you can easily lose it. We saw that in Malilla. I was probably level going into the first corner. I just sent it into the dirt and tried to keep it flowing and get that speed off the corner. That’s what I managed to do.
“I knew there would be a big battle behind me, so I just needed to pull away as best as possible. It’s a super feeling to get two in a row and have my name on the trophy for a third time.
“It’s incredible. I had my parents and friends here. The Manchester and British fans are always so supportive to me. It was so special to hear their cheers, and I am very grateful for their support.”
Runner-up Wright was visibly emotional during the post-meeting presentations in a year which has seen him spend months on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury, before his father Martin passed away in May.
He will now be nominated as a wild card for the 2027 FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain and he’s elated to get the opportunity after a tough 2026. He said: “It’s great. It has been a tough year personally and with getting injured, so I am made up – really made up.
“I took it one race at a time. Robert is world class. He is probably the top rider in the world at the minute with the way he is riding. I knew I had to at least get second in the final to get the wild card. I have been largely off the bike since March, so I am pleased.”
Third-placed Flint paid tribute to the sponsors who have helped him emerge as a contender in these big events. He said: “Everyone says I have kicked on a fair bit over these last two seasons. Everyone asks me what I have changed and, to be honest, nothing.
“The only thing I have changed is I have a great bunch of sponsors behind me and now I am not racing to pay invoices and bills and stuff like that. I am here to ride my bike. Thanks to them and all these guys, I can do that, and it’s showing.
“I can’t get too disheartened with third. I definitely tried my best. It wasn’t hard to see that I fell off a little bit towards the end. But I don’t think I have ever been so concentrated in a meeting before.
“I kind of said before that I would just see how it went. We did the track walk, and I don’t know what it was, but something kind of took over.
“In previous years when I have been here, I feel I have just been here to make up the numbers. Now I do feel like I am coming on, I am here to race, and I am here to win.”
For British Final results in full, CLICK HERE.