King's Lynn favourite Robert Lambert has become British champion for the second time in his career.
The world number two, who does not race regularly in the UK but spent much of his domestic career at the Adrian Flux Arena, ended the reign of Dan Bewley in a truly epic final at Belle Vue.
The decisive race also included current Stars racer Chris Harris, who went agonisingly close to a fourth British title but ended up off the rostrum completely.
Lambert - from Foulsham in north Norfolk - and Bewley were everyone’s top tips to contest the title, but as they battled fiercely in the final it brought Harris and Charles Wright into contention.
An unbelievable last lap saw Harris hit the front going into the first bend after Lambert had forced Bewley wide, only for Wright’s inside line to give him the best exit from turn two.
Lambert charged back to the front whilst Harris attempted to go back between Wright and Lambert going into the last bend only to then lose out to a recovering Bewley.
And it was Lambert who won the race to the line for his first British title since 2018, whilst Wright and Bewley were second and third.
Lambert said: “It was one of the hardest British final races. There were bikes and lines being pulled on the track that I didn’t know were possible.
“But this track puts on a great show and the fans got that. I’m super pumped with getting my second British Championship title, and what a way to do it.”
For Harris it was a cruel ending as he missed out on the chance to be wild card for the upcoming Grand Prix meetings in Manchester next month, with that honour going to Wright.
But he will be back in action for the Stars when they visit Leicester in a vital Premiership fixture on Thursday.
Qualifying scores: Dan Bewley 14, Robert Lambert 14, Charles Wright 11, Adam Ellis 10, Chris Harris 10, Anders Rowe 9, Dan Thompson 9, Danny King 8, Craig Cook 7, Leon Flint 6, Tom Brennan 6, Steve Worrall 6, Connor Mountain 5, Jason Edwards 3, Drew Kemp 2, Vinnie Foord 0.
Semi-final: Harris, Wright, Ellis, Rowe.
Grand final: Lambert, Wright, Bewley, Harris.
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