Great Britain "underdogs" after Bewley blow

GREAT BRITAIN boss Olly Allen admits his side are “underdogs” after losing two top stars for the World Cup final.

The national side take on hosts Poland, Denmark and Australian at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw on Saturday night. 

But GB have been dealt a big blow after Dan Bewley was forced to pull out this week after not recovering in time from a broken femur and back injuries. 

It comes just six weeks after three-times World Champion Tai Woffinden announced his retirement from the sport. 

Allen has shuffled his pack with the new team which includes Robert Lambert, Adam Ellis, Charles Wright, Tom Brennan and Leon Flint. 

He admitted: “We will be the underdogs, there’s no doubt about that. But all our lads know this is their opportunity to deliver something special for their country.

“Obviously coming into this season we had high hopes of going one better than we did in the World in 2023 when we came within two laps of the gold medal. 

“But our side has been robbed of two top stars in the sport and that’s really tough to take.

“It’s going to be a huge task for our boys on Saturday night. It’s quite an inexperienced team at that level.

“But nonetheless, they are all determined to go there and go for the gold.” 

Lambert has been in outstanding form and the top three at the recent Cab Direct British Championship final are in the team.

Lambo added: “Having the World Cup final in the Warsaw stadium is going to be something special. To be part of that is going to be even better. 

“The Narodowy gives us the same vibe as Cardiff as it’s going to be a full stadium which I’m told it will be. 

“The Poles are very passionate about the sport. They are going to lift the roof for sure. 

“From a team point of view, we need to go there open-minded and not put too much pressure on ourselves. We just need to plug away at the races and see what we can do. 

“If I can do a good job as well and score plenty of points and the rest of the boys chip in, I think a medal is in our reach. We’ll see what colour that will be at the end. 

“Obviously the goal is not to finish off the podium. That will give us something to fight for.”

NEXT ON BSN - Friday night: Scunthorpe v Edinburgh (Cab Direct Championship).

Image by Taylor Lanning.