LAMBERT CALLS ON BRITS TO SEEK EUROPEAN RACING

Great Britain skipper Robert Lambert called on his fellow Brits to seek more European action as the Lions look to the future in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Final.

The 22-year-old captains his country for the first time on Friday and Saturday as he leads Dan Bewley and Drew Kemp into action in Lublin.

Lambert has been racing professionally on the continent since the age of 14, when he took out a German licence to compete in senior meetings.

While the likes of triple world champion Tai Woffinden, Dan Bewley and Adam Ellis race regularly in league and open events across Europe, Lambert would like to see more Brits spreading their wings beyond the SGB Premiership and Championship.

With Ellis injured, the Lions raised a few eyebrows when they selected young gun Kemp for the Monster Energy SON Final, with fellow shooting star Jordan Palin as their back-up rider.

While GB had more experienced options available, both men have defied coronavirus restrictions to represent their country on the continent this summer. Lambert is pleased to see those who race in European events rewarded with Monster Energy SON places, and he hopes others will also take the plunge.

He said: “We need people who are going well on the continent and people who are willing to race in Poland. If riders in the UK are not willing to do that, then I am not surprised they didn’t get a pick for the Speedway of Nations.

“You need to speculate to accumulate. If guys don’t do that, they are never going to get anything out of it. It’s going to be a hobby for them.

“If you want to do it as a proper job and professionally, you need to take those big steps, get out there and do something. Maybe it won’t pay off straight away, but in the long term it will. You can’t always stay in your comfort zone and that’s what I think some people are doing in the UK.”

Lambert believes Kemp and Palin will both gain a great deal from their trip to Lublin. He said: “It’s a great opportunity to get the young blood over to Poland, so they can see that kind of atmosphere.

“In a few years to come, they could be the guys in my position and Dan’s position, going out to represent their country. Getting that experience and being around that environment will be great. It really shows what GB is trying to do with the youngsters.

“What if the organisers change back to a four-man format in the future? Then we will need a strong four guys going out there to do a good job.”

Photo: Taylor Lanning