Speedway star Lambert rides to world title

2 hours ago

Zoe ApplegateNorfolk

News image — Norwich-born speedway rider Robert Lambert has lifted the World Championship title after winning the final Grand Prix on Saturday

Taylor Lanning Robert Lambert is grinning and sticking his tongue out. He is wearing a black baseball hat and his black, gold and blue racing outfit. He is cradling his gold trophy. — Norwich-born speedway rider Robert Lambert has lifted the World Championship title after winning the final Grand Prix on Saturday

A speedway star from Norfolk has been crowned the new world champion.

Norwich-born Robert Lambert, 28, clinched the title after winning the final Grand Prix of the season at his home track in Torun, Poland, on Saturday.

The former King's Lynn Stars rider told his first club: "I'm super happy. I never expected or planned to do what happened in the second half of the season."

Lambert, whose international success emulates that of Norfolk's last world championship winner Michael Lee in 1980, continued: "It kind of happened naturally and when it happens like that, it's meant to be."

He added: "It took hard work to get here, but when things are rolling, they're rolling."

Taylor Lanning Robert Lambert is holding his head back and has his eyes closed. He is wearing his racing outfit and has a medal with a blue ribbon around his neck. He is holding his trophy in one hand and the background of the stadium is blurred. — Lambert's mother said it had been surreal watching her son race for the world title

His mother, Helen Lambert, watched her son lift the trophy and said: "It's just a whirlwind so far, but amazing."

She bought Lambert his first bike when he was three years old and said she was experiencing "many mixed emotions" after seeing him beat the defending champion, Poland's Bartosz Zmarzlik.

"My whole body was shaking - then I lost my voice and I couldn't hardly shout and cheer him on," she said about being trackside.

She said the world title win had been a surreal time for the family.

"I don't think it's really sunk in yet," she said.

"The atmosphere and everything last night was just amazing."

Taylor Lanning Another rider covers Lambert in champagne and is holding the bottle upside down. There are bursts of flames in the background. Both riders are wearing their racing outfits, and Lambert has his gold medal round his neck. — Lambert's former King's Lynn Stars club said the rider had "achieved his dream"

King's Lynn Stars said its former rider had "achieved his dream" and the race for title glory had been a three-way battle involving both Zmarzlik and Australian Brady Kurtz.

Lambert has won three of his last six Grand Prix and came runner-up in the other three races.

He started riding for King's Lynn Young Stars in 2013, before joining its top flight team the following year. He returned to the club for a brief spell in 2023.

Last month, he said he was "happy" to get his hands on his third national title when he crossed the line first in the Cab Direct British Final at the National Speedway Stadium, in Belle Vue, Manchester.