Lambert "can't believe it" as he's crowned World Champ
26 Sep 2026 | 21:53
ROBERT LAMBERT was close to tears after becoming only the ninth British World Individual Champion after a sensational display in Poland.
Fast Lambo deposed defending champion Bartosz Zmarzlik by winning the final in Torun on Saturday night.
The Norwich-born star won the title on 162 points ahead of Zmarzlik on 160 and Australian Brady Kurtz finished third on 157 in a thrilling last race shoot-out.
Lambert dropped just one point in the qualifying heats - to Zmarzlik - but won the crunch final ahead of Kurtz and Zmarzlik to take the glory.
It’s the first British winner of the title since Tai Woffinden last took gold in 2018.
Lambert, 28, said: “I can’t even believe it. It’d been so hard to get to this point. I don’t know what to say, unbelievable.
“To come here today and drop just one point is something crazy."
Lambert could also win the PGE Ekstraliga with Torun next Sunday and wife Julia is expecting their first child over the next few months.
He added: “I haven’t found words yet. I don’t think it will sink in until later on. What an achievement for this season.
“I had a few bad rounds. I was kind of the underdog. Brady and Bartek were fighting it out at the top all season. They were battling.
“I just came to life in the last five rounds and managed to turn my season around.
“I set goals just to secure my place for next year. To be World Champion, oh my God!
“I just want to thank all the Torun fans for getting behind me tonight. It means so much.
“My wife (Julia) has been there in the bad and good times and my mum and dad, they’ve been a massive part of my life and my family here in Poland.”
Lambert joins a select band of British riders who have won the gold medal.
Tommy Price (1949), Freddie Williams (1950, 1953), Peter Craven (1955, 1962), Peter Collins (1976), Michael Lee (1980), Gary Havelock (1992), Mark Loram (2000), Tai Woffinden (2013, 2015, 2018).
Words by Phil Lanning.
Images by Taylor Lanning.
