Norfolk speedway set me on path to world title

The newly-crowned world champion of speedway has credited his home county club with setting him on the path to success.

Norwich-born Robert Lambert, 28, lifted the trophy after winning the final Grand Prix of the season in Torun, Poland, on Saturday.

He first began riding professionally in the UK for King's Lynn Stars in Norfolk as a teen, having initially honed his craft in Germany.

"King's Lynn has been a massive, massive part of my career," he told BBC Look East presenter Amelia Reynolds.

"To race in the UK is completely different to racing in Europe - the tracks are much different, the atmosphere and pressure is much different.

"So, really, it was the building blocks to where I am today."

He said the world title was still sinking in. Walking into his living room the day after the race and seeing the trophy there was "pretty incredible".

"It's something that I'd never really believed would happen," he added.

"Obviously, you're always trying to fight to be world champion and it's always a massive dream of any kind of athlete.

"For it to come true is completely unbelievable."

But Lambert grew up with speedway and had wanted to be world champion from a very young age.

His dad, Paul, rode for Mildenhall Tigers, and Robert became its club mascot at around the same time his mum Helen got his first motorbike, aged three.

A profile in the Fen Tigers programme from when he was five years old said he was on the go "constantly" and could not wait to get home from Bawdeswell Primary School so he could practise his skids with his dad.

It adds: "Robert's ambition is to be world speedway champion one day."

At the tender age of six, he was competing in grass track.

He first rode for King's Lynn Young Stars in 2013 before stepping up to the top flight a year later, as a 16-year-old.

He said as a young lad, he was ribbed by team "veterans" and other riders in the league, which helped him toughen up.

"In turn it made me a lot stronger for the future, until I kind of gained some respect from them that I can be a good rider and to give them a good challenge," he explained.

He rode for King's Lynn until the Covid-19 pandemic and moved on to racing in Europe, returning to the Stars for a brief spell in the 2023 season.

Lambert said many riders from his past had been in touch to congratulate him.

"My phone has been on fire since Sunday," he added.

"It has been so incredible to have such a great support.

"[I've heard from] people who were helping me at the beginning and other colleagues and riders who I haven't spoken to for a while."

While he may be forgiven for taking some time out and bathing in the glory, Lambert said he would not be sitting on his laurels.

With his ambition fulfilled, he now wants "multiple" world titles.

"I'm still very young and and I believe I've still got a lot to learn in the sport of speedway."

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.