LAMBERT'S FINAL PUSH

Great Britain racer Robert Lambert insists it’s time to step up on to the Speedway GP podium as he bids to break his run of semi-final heartbreak.

The 2020 European champion lines up in the Orlen FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw on Saturday as he returns to the venue where he reached his first-ever semi-final back in 2019.

Lambert made it into his eighth semi at the season-opening FIM Speedway GP of Croatia – Donji Kraljevec on April 30, but he was left frustrated as his wait for a first final appearance goes on.

The Norfolk ace has proved he can deliver in the biggest of races, having led Great Britain to FIM Speedway of Nations gold in Manchester last October.

Now he’s determined to take his place on the Speedway GP podium. He said: “I have made eight semi-finals now and haven’t made a final, so for me, that’s hard and a little bit of a disappointment not to get to the finals and step up on to the podium as well.

“I am not fully satisfied, but I think that’s a good thing. It gives me some motivation for the next round.”

Lambert hopes his previous visit to Warsaw three years ago, when he replaced absent American icon Greg Hancock, will serve him well as he lines up in front of over 50,000 passionate fans at PGE Narodowy.

He said: “I’ve had the experience of being here in front of thousands of fans and taking in that massive atmosphere. Coming here again with a full stadium is going to be very special and it will still give me some butterflies before the race.”

Lambert has made a strong start to 2022 and is determined to build on the 10^th-place finish he achieved last season.

He said: “My main goal is to get into the top six, so I can secure my spot for next year. This is something I am going to be striving for. I think it’s important to stay in after getting the wild card – to show that I can perform and race at this kind of level.”