World No.2 Robert Lambert was crowned British Champion for the second time at Belle Vue in a race which will go down as one of the greatest in the all-time history of the sport.
Lambert, who last won the Attis Insurance Sports Division British Final in 2018, edged out Charles Wright, holder Dan Bewley and Chris Harris in an astonishing meeting decider in Manchester.
There were no fewer than six lead changes in the Final with each of the four riders in front at one stage in the final lap and a quarter.
Eventually Lambert surged to the front on the last two turns to overcome Wright and Harris, with Bewley retrieving third from Harris on the run to the line.
Lambert said: “It was one of the hardest British Final races. There were bikes and lines being pulled on the track that I didn’t know were possible!
“But this track puts on a great show and the fans got that. I’m super pumped with getting my second British Championship title, and what a way to do it.
“When I had an interview, they pointed out that it had been seven years, so that’s a long time. It doesn’t feel that long ago, so I must be getting old! It’s nice to get my hands on this famous trophy again.
“I can’t wait to watch it back. You needed to be a little bit hard and think where you needed to put the back wheel. But it worked out well in the end.”
The result also means Oxford and Redcar star Wright will take the Wild Card berth for the upcoming Grand Prix events at the National Speedway Stadium next month.
Meanwhile third-placed Bewley was voted by the fans as the winner of the Nigel Pearson Award in a close-fought poll which also involved Lambert, Wright and impressive youngster Anders Rowe as all provided fabulous entertainment.
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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES