LAMBERT CHASING THIRD CROWN
ROBERT Lambert wants a British Championship title hat-trick and then bid to smash the record books.
Fast Lambo, 28, is red-hot favourite to pick up his third national crown at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester on Saturday night, live on ITV4 and ITVX at 7pm.
It’s a return to terrestrial TV for speedway for the first time since 1985 when the sport was a regular feature on ITV’s World of Sport and will be presented by bubbly star Emma Louise Jones.
That comeback on the box has been helped by Harry Redknapp’s backing for the sport.
The Norwich-born ace will be bidding to retain his British crown up against the likes of former champions Chris Harris, Craig Cook, Adam Ellis, Danny King and Charles Wright.
Last year’s final in Manchester was one of the best races in the history of the sport with an incredible 17 passes in just one minute of chaotic action.
But Lambert also has his sights of matching and then breaking Scott Nicholls’ record of seven national titles.
He vowed: “It would be nice. What Scott did is pretty incredible. When I was younger and watching the British Finals, he was unstoppable at that time. So if I can try and do something like that before the end of my career, that would be special to make history.
“I’ve had a lot of success in Manchester, one of the best places for me with Great Britain and British Finals.
“I also rode for Belle Vue when they won the Premiership in 2022. So I’ve had great moments there and some bad meetings, it’s a bit of a balance. I can’t be too complacent.”
Lambert dismisses his favourite tag and knows anything can happen in the final, proven by his epic win last year outgunning Wright, Harris and Dan Bewley.
He added: “It was a few years since I last won the Championship in 2018.
“Going into last year I didn’t really have the best of form. We went there open-minded, got through to the final and what a spectacular race that was.
“Only the Manchester track can provide that kind of entertainment. Having 17 passes in one race is incredible in one minute of action.
“It’s such an incredible sport for people to watch and to be part of that race was something special.
“It was also a bit of relief because at one point I was at the back. Everyone had their moment at the front and had the chance to win. It’s a great memory from last year.
“It’ll be the same approach as a GP. It’s tough when it comes down to one race.
“You can win all your five heats and then make a bad decision on the track and leave you without the Championship.
“You need to be fully focused for that last race and build-up during the night to be in a good position with the bike set-up.”
There is one change to the line-up with qualified reserve Ace Pijper replacing Craig Cook, who has informed BSP that he will not be taking part .
CAB DIRECT BRITISH FINAL LINE-UP: 1 Anders Rowe, 2 Cooper Rushen, 3 Ace Pijper, 4 Robert Lambert, 5 Adam Ellis, 6 Drew Kemp, 7 Will Cairns, 8 Dan Thompson, 9 Jason Edwards, 10 Danny King, 11 Charles Wright, 12 Jake Mulford, 13 Jody Scott, 14 Leon Flint, 15 Chris Harris, 16 Tom Brennan.
CAB DIRECT BRITISH FINAL TICKETS: https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/tickets
SCB Referee: Mick Bates
Live Coverage: ITV4, ITVX / https://fim-moto.tv/ (outside Europe)
Live Updates: https://live.britishspeedway.co.uk/
Photo credit: TAYLOR LANNING
