World number two 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.
And while Maryport’s Dan Bewley lost the title, he 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.
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.
Wright said he was still more than satisfied with his efforts and can now look forward to more Grand Prix experience in June.
Wright said: “I didn’t expect anything, I just came with an open mind to take a race at a time, get to the semi and then go from there.
“It was a bit of a hectic final. I think I was in first at one point, then back to the back, then second and third, it was a crazy race.
“I went into the last corner and thought ‘I’ve got this’ and then Robert must have just done the wall of death around me and snatched it.
“But I’m happy, and I get to go to the Grand Prix at my local track, so I can’t ask for anything better than that.”
