Great Britain were crowned World Champions in a sensational Speedway of Nations Final at Belle Vue on Saturday.
Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley overcame Australian duo Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz to secure gold for GB in Manchester, overturning defeat against the same nation in the Final the last time the event was staged two years ago.
It was the second time Lambert and Bewley had combined for World Team glory at the National Speedway Stadium, after their win over Poland in 2021.
In a fiercely competitive meeting where the overall outcome was always in doubt, GB found themselves in the Grand Final Qualifier after scoring 35 points from their regular races, one adrift of Australia, whilst Sweden were in third place on 27.
That spelt disappointment for much-fancied Poland and Denmark, both of whom were eliminated and finished behind Germany, who took a shock fourth place.
With Australia straight into the Final, Great Britian raced to 5-4 advantage over Sweden to book their place in the decider as Lambert and Bewley sat comfortably behind Fredrik Lindgren, keeping Jacob Thorssell at the back.
The Final turned into an epic with GB captain Lambert leading the way whilst Australia’s Jack Holder looked to slow Bewley to create a gap for team-mate Brady Kurtz to pass Bewley, which they appeared to have achieved at the end of the second lap.
But Bewley, who had transformed his night with a change of machinery after finishing last in his opening two rides, then produced a majestic move to cut back on the exit of the fourth bend and storm inside both Australian riders to take GB to the title.
Lambert said: “We had a great week with the boys and that just showed in the pits and in everything we were doing.
“We stayed calm and took it race by race. It was a bit touch and go when we needed to have the semi to get into the Final, but we managed to do it.
“Dan was really battling to make sure we could bring home the gold, and I was just making sure I didn’t make any mistakes and keeping in front.
“We did a great job and I’m so happy with a second World Championship for GB.”
The victorious GB squad also included reserve Tom Brennan along with team managers Olly Allen and Simon Stead.