Speedway Grand Prix: Robert Lambert targets 'big things' ahead of 2024 season - 'It's time I'm pushing for that medal'

Published 23/04/2024 at 12:55 GMT

The 2024 Speedway Grand Prix season kicks off in Croatia this weekend and British rider Robert Lambert is bullish about his chances of success this year. Lambert is gunning for a first SGP win as well as pushing for a podium finish at the end of the season. Stream the 2024 Speedway GP season live on discovery+.

Lambert wins heat 9

Robert Lambert says he is "pushing hard" for "big things" this season in the 2024 Speedway Grand Prix ahead of the campaign opener in Croatia.

The Brit, whose top-six finish in 2023 made him an automatic qualifier for this season, told Eurosport that he is looking up the table with a podium finish in his sights.

Lambert is still without an SGP win to his name so far but is optimistic about his prospects.

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“The first goal is to obviously be in the top six and qualify myself for the for the following season,” he said. “But now I think it's time I'm pushing for that medal and even beyond that.

“I'm definitely pushing for big things this season. Definitely to get my first Grand Prix win. That's been on the cards for the last couple of years. It just hasn't happened and hasn't fallen into place.

“So something that I'm definitely pushing hard for this season.”

On chasing that elusive first win, Lambert was philosophical and admitted it was more about his mentality than his ability on the bike, but insists he will fix that this year.

“I think it's more about like the mindset around the semi-final and the final,” he said. “I think I add a little bit too much pressure on myself and maybe want it too much and get that first Grand Prix win.

“I'm trying to focus more on just taking race by race. There's nothing different about the semi-final or the final. It’s just another race.

“I can beat all the guys there. I've proven to myself that I belong in the Grand Prix series. And yes, just take it as another race. And when that happens, it will happen and I believe it will be happening this year.”

He added: “I think I've been very good at being consistent in the Grand Prix series. Last year I got into the semi-finals the most, but the big points, how the point structure is, is gained in the final and even if I get to the final and come third or fourth in all of them, then that's guaranteed a medal by the end of the season.

“I think getting into the finals is definitely the key for that, so just trust myself and trust the process but also at the same time, give 110% and everything else around behind the scenes as well.”

Lambert, 26 says he’s been working hard in the off-season and made significant changes to his planning and preparation, which he believes will help him push for top finishes and top honours when the campaign kicks off.

“It's been a kind of a bit of a busy one. I’ve moved location in Poland where I'm living now, moved workshop as well so it's been busy to get that organised, changed mechanics so getting to know them a little bit more and working on the bikes kind of a bit more together and you know how I want things to be done.

“I've been focusing a lot on my training as well. So it's been a nice schedule to it but not like the typical off-season of a rider where they're just not doing much and chilling out.”

The British rider says he is pleased with the work he has been able to put in over the winter as well as the tweaks and adjustments he has made, and expects to benefit when the racing begins.

“I'm really happy about it,” he beamed. “Prep is pretty much the same every winter.

“You're trying to improve on little aspects of what you felt you could improve on with the fitness, mental side as well.

"Anything we can do with the bikes as well to get them a little bit lighter, a little bit more streamlined to the modern Speedway bike, then we do that.

“So, yeah, everything has been put in 100% this winter to get myself fully ready for this SGP season.”

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The 2024 Speedway season will be available to stream live and ad-free on discovery+.

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