Speedway GP Thorn: Robert Lambert is World Champion – Zmarzlik dethroned

Even before the main race in the evening, the lead in the overall standings at the Speedway Grand Prix in Thorn (Torun) had changed, as defending champion Bartosz Zmarzlik scored points in the sprint race, whilst Robert Lambert and Brady Kurtz failed to qualify for the extra heat. Zmarzlik therefore no longer went into the final race of the season one point behind Lambert, but now had two points more than the Briton. Zmarzlik’s performance was particularly bitter for Brady Kurtz, who now trailed the multiple champion by five points, significantly reducing his chances of winning the World Championship title.

In the first heat, Lambert and Zmarzlik even came up against each other, with the Pole coming out on top. In the subsequent heats, however, Lambert delivered a strong performance, whilst Kurtz – after winning a heat at the start – went through a dip in form, scoring just one point from two heats, before managing to pick up the pace again.

Lambert secures direct place in the final

The final block of the heats brought a decisive moment in the 17th heat regarding direct qualification for the final: Patryk Dudek took his third heat win to take his points tally to twelve, securing his place in the final as well, and it was clear that both Kurtz and Zmarzlik would have to go into the last-chance heats. Lambert secured his place in the final with a win in the 19th heat, as well as the strategically important first choice of starting position.

In the first last-chance qualifier, Zmarzlik secured his place in the final with ease, claiming a start-to-finish victory. Although Fredrik Lindgren tried to build up momentum on the outside lane, he was unable to challenge the leading Pole for the race win. Kurtz progressed to the final from the second Last Chance Qualifier. The Australian won the start from the inside and thus kept his underdog hopes of winning the title alive.

Showdown in the final race of the season

With Zmarzlik, Lambert and Kurtz in the final, a showdown was on the cards, as a play-off was still a possibility if Lambert were to finish the final one place ahead of Zmarzlik. It was not to be, however, as whilst Lambert moved into the lead from the inside starting position and didn’t give his pursuers the slightest chance, Zmarzlik found himself in last place after the first lap. Although he managed to overtake Patryk Dudek and move up to third place, the title was no longer in doubt for the leader, Lambert, who, after casting a wary glance at his pursuers in the final bend, was able to celebrate winning the title. Kurtz took the bronze medal with his second-place finish in the final.

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Die Top-3 der Welt (v.l.): Bartosz Zmarzlik, Robert Lambert und Brady Kurtz

Foto: jarek pabijan

Robert Lambert was the dominant rider in the second half of the season and is the first British Speedway World Champion since Tai Woffinden in 2018.

Speedway GP Thorn/PL results: