Lambert in battle for world title

NEWCASTLE Diamonds’ No. 1 Robert Lambert, the reigning British Under-21 champion, faces a tough task if he is to add the World Under-21 Championship title to his list of honours.

Yesterday, in the first leg of the three-stage World Final event in Poznan, Poland, Lambert finished seventh in the standings with nine points to his name, which comprised three wins and three races without scoring a point in a meeting of mixed fortunes.

Poor starts in his fourth qualifying race and in his semifinal cost Lambert dearly as did a mistake in his last qualifying heat when he gated well but made a mess of the second bend, which sent him to the back of the field.

Outstanding racer of the day was Poland’s Maksym Drabik, who won all seven he took part in, putting him at the top of the leader board on 21 points, while fellow Pole Bartosz Smektala and defending World Under-21 champion Australian Max Fricke were next best on 15 apiece.

So, Lambert (pictured below) already has a considerable deficit to make up and will be hoping for better returns in the other two rounds in Germany and the Czech Republic in September.