GREAT Britain’s speedway team went agonisingly close to striking gold in the inaugural Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Final in Poland.
They had to settle for silver in a dramatic last gasp final shootout with Russia – despite finishing the tournament as top scorers!
Scunthorpe-born double world individual champion Tai Woffinden inspired the side straight through to the one-off final with a stunning display, winning 12 of his 13 outings over the two nights in Wroclaw.
But he received handy support from King’s Lynn’s Robert Lambert, the British Under 21 Champion.
Woffinden won the deciding heat but youngster Lambert couldn’t find a way past former Coventry man Emil Sayfutdinov.
And in knockout racing, with the emphasis on teamwork, when a nation finished second and third it means they win the race 3+1 v 3.
Top man Woffinden, who notched a staggering 38 out of a possible 39 points in the two-day final, was pleased to be back in GB colours after ending his self imposed exile.
He said: “It’s disappointing to miss out at the end but that’s the way the competition works and we have to settle for silver.
“But this is the first stage of a five-year plan for GB and whilst Rob Painter (team supremo) is making all the right noises I’ll be alongside him.
“I want to say I’m proud of young Robert, 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.”
Cook and Lambert will compete in the British Final at Belle Vue on Monday with Woffinden sitting it out.
“Good luck to the boys in the British Final,” he said. “It’s been a good week and I’ll be looking for the result.”
FIM MONSTER ENERGY SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS - FINAL, 2nd leg, Wroclaw, Poland RUSSIA 22: Artem Laguta 14, Emil Sayfutdinov 8. GREAT BRITAIN 21: Tai Woffinden 17, Robert Lambert 7. POLAND 21: Maciej Janowski 13, Patryk Dudek 8. AUSTRALIA 20: Jason Doyle 16, Max Fricke 4. SWEDEN 16: Fredrik Lindgren 9, Antonio Lindback 7. DENMARK 15: Michael Jepsen Jensen 15, Kenneth Bjerre 0, Fredrik Jakobsen 0. GERMANY 11: Kai Huckenbeck 9, Martin Smolinski 2, Michael Hartel 0.
FINAL STANDINGS 1 RUSSIA 45 (Placed 1st after race-off) 2 GREAT BRITAIN 46 (Placed 2nd after race-off) 3 POLAND 36 (Placed 3rd after race-off) 4 AUSTRALIA 35 5 DENMARK 35 6 SWEDEN 32 7 GERMANY 23 (RUSSIA crowned 2018 FIM Speedway of Nations Champions)
PICTURED: Tai Woffinden (white helmet) and Robert Lambert (Yellow) team riding to success over Australia. Picture: Rafal Wlosek.
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY STATEMENT
THE board members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd are continuing to monitor the situation regarding the Coronavirus crisis on a regular basis.
With the latest information from the government stating high risk groups of people should stay at home for 12 weeks, it is unlikely that that there will be any British Speedway events taking place before June 15, at least.
The Board have to consider the public, their members, riders and officials, some of which will be included in the high risk group.
It is the wish of the Board that every effort is made to start the new season at the first available opportunity and we have members of the association continuing to provide alternative fixture dates as the situation evolves.
The British Speedway Promoters Ltd sends their best wishes to everyone at this incredibly difficult time.
POSTED: Wednesday 25 March, 2020
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JOINT BSPA/SCB STATEMENT: CORONAVIRUS
BRITISH Speedway’s new season has been suspended with immediate effect.
The decision has been taken in line with other sports following the latest update from the government on the Coronavirus crisis.
This suspension will be reviewed on April 15 and the situation will be monitored by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and Speedway Control Bureau on a daily basis between now and then.
POSTED: Tuesday 17 March, 2020
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