WOFFY: GOOD TO BE BACK

Great Britain racer Tai Woffinden says it was “good to be back” riding for his country as they came within a point of gold in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations.

The Scunthorpe-born star scored a stunning 38 points out of a possible 39 over two days of the Final. But it wasn’t quite enough to hand GB gold as Russia pipped them to the post in the grand final – despite Woffinden winning the race.

Now he’s looking forward to a bright new future for the national side under new commercial rights holders Rob Painter and Vicky Blackwell and their VRX Motorsport team.

Woffinden said: “This is the first stage of a five-year plan for GB and whilst Rob is making all the right noises I’ll be alongside him.

“I want to say I’m proud of young Robert Lambert. He did a great job throughout the tournament and also a special mention to Craig Cook who travelled with us and was a big member for us as part of the team.

"It was good to be back racing for my country on a team basis.”

Woffinden showed his team-riding class throughout the Monster Energy SON, but admits slowing up in the grand final with Russian duo Artem Laguta and Emil Sayfutdinov in pursuit would have been a dangerous game.

He said: “The plan was to win the final 5-1 or 4-2 and we knew we could do that so that was the goal.

“In a final like that, you cannot slow down the race like I did in previous heats. The competition is just too good. Maybe 10 years ago you could, but at world level now, anyone can beat anyone and you have to do the best job you can.

“Unfortunately the rules state that if you’re second and third you’re better then the winner! There are not many things in life where you get rewarded for losing! I would like to congratulate Emil and Artem for their world title and look forward to doing it all again next year.”

Woffinden has also hailed newly crowned British champion Lambert, who romped to the title with a six-ride maximum in Manchester on Monday.

“He’s the future,” said Woffinden. “Congratulations to him, he deserves it. I know what it means to win your first national title and it’s pretty special.”