ROBERT LAMBERT

REAT Britain racer Robert Lambert admits it was “fantastic” to experience his first Speedway GP final, but he was gutted he couldn’t reach the rostrum in Teterow.

GThe FIM Speedway of Nations world champion has made no secret of his desire to reach the last four after a number of near misses.

And he delivered superbly at the Bergring Arena, coolly fending off compatriot Tai Woffinden for second place in semi-final one, before finishing fourth behind Patryk Dudek, Bartosz Zmarzlik and Freddie Lindgren in the final.

Having got that monkey off his back, Lambert’s final charge could prove to be the first of many.

While he was glad to take another big stride in his burgeoning career, the former European Champion wishes he could have taken even more than 14 points in Teterow.

He said: “It was obviously my first final and it was a new experience. It was fantastic to do it, but in a way I am kind of disappointed that I didn’t make an impact on that.

• Jack Holder ahead of Robert Lambert

WORDS: Paul Burbidge PICTURES: Jarek Pabijan

“It was one of my best GPs so far. It’s an improvement. I said at the beginning of the season in Croatia that I didn’t just want to make the semis. I want to make it into the finals.

“I am making steps forward and making progress. That’s important for the rest of the season. I always want to fight harder and do better. Now I have got that one off the shoulders, I can move forwards.”

Lambert started his professional career in Germany at the tender age of 14, taking out a German licence as his ACU one only allowed him to race in the National League at 15 and then the top two divisions after his 16thbirthday.

It was special that he achieved this Speedway GP milestone in Germany, but he admits the Teterow track didn’t make him feel completely at home.

He said: “I have a good history in Germany. I love coming here and having good support from the German fans.

“That’s very nice, but I must say that racing this track was challenging. For a World Championship meeting, it is not ideal. But every rider had the same conditions and we all need to try and handle that. We walked away safe and I am glad I am in one piece and can move forward to the next meeting.”

JACK HOLDER

USSIE ace Jack Holder insists he knew his first Speedway GP semi-final was coming after reaching the top eight in Teterow on Saturday.

AThe Sheffield star exited the Warsaw and Prague rounds with seven championship points – falling just short of the semis.

But Holder took the next step in his Speedway GP career when he fended off former Gorzow team-mate Bartosz Zmarzlik with a brilliant ride to win Heat 19 and book his place in semi-final two at the Bergring Arena.

Despite finishing fourth in the race to end up with nine championship points, it was a huge leap forward for Holder, who followed it up by reaching the GP Challenge on Monday, scoring a 15-point maximum in the Debrecen qualifier.

The former Poole man felt an SGP semi-final was on the cards after falling just a race point short in Warsaw and missing out on countback in Prague.

He said: “For sure, I have been knocking on the door for all four rounds. I have been so close, but you just need some luck sometimes.

“It was all so close in Warsaw and Prague. I knew it was coming. It was getting a bit tight at the end for this one, but I am over the moon to get into the semi. I am really proud.

“I needed to win my last ride and it wasn’t the easiest heat to do it in. I was off the better outside gate and I really wanted that one. I proved to myself that I can do it and everyone is beatable.”

The former Poole rider has been flying in Poland over the past two seasons, but taking fine league form on to the Speedway GP stage is no easy task.

“It is a little bit harder in the GPs,” Holder admitted. “You are on your own and you have to do it yourself.

“I know I can beat all of them and I know I am capable of being up there. That’s why I have been so disappointed in the last couple of rounds – not in myself, but just because I missed out on countback and by one point when I know I can be in there. It’s so disappointing.

“But it adds fuel to the fire and it was nice to get the first semi out of the way and get the monkey off my back.”

June 11, 2022 speedway star 13