Woffinden’s Painful Blow Leaves Team GB Reeling
Great Britain’s ambitions took a hammering even before the Speedway of Nations Final got underway. All eyes were on Tai Woffinden, one of the sport’s most decorated riders, until a freak training crash dashed those hopes. That back injury, picked up away from the glare of race night, was more than a personal setback — it shifted the whole balance of the team’s campaign.
Without their triple World Champion, Team GB entered the 2022 showdown on the back foot. Woffinden had already struggled with injuries the previous year, missing another crucial final. For fans, there was a sense of déjà vu. The reality set in quickly: the team would need a new hero.
Robert Lambert Steps Up as Australia Breaks Two-Decade Drought
Enter Robert Lambert. With Woffinden out, Lambert transformed pressure into performance, piling up 18 points. But it wasn’t quite enough to take home the top prize. Instead, the night belonged to Australia, who hadn’t tasted top-tier team success since 2002 — a 20-year itch they were desperate to scratch.
Jack Holder put in a relentless shift, picking up a massive 19 points, while Max Fricke added to the momentum with another 11. Together, they formed a duo that other teams just couldn’t match on the night. Australia had to first outrace Sweden in a tense Grand Final Qualifier. When they hit the track for the big one against Great Britain, the Aussies kept it together when it mattered and clinched their historic victory.
For Sweden, the third-place finish was respectable, but couldn’t match the drama and relief spilling out of the Australian camp. The whole event had a new feel with Discovery Sports Events taking over as promoter, adding fresh energy and a sense of change to the Speedway of Nations setup.
As for Woffinden, another injury layoff poses tough questions about his future and puts his next season in doubt. But for Great Britain, the sting of missing their star yet again was only soothed by Lambert’s gritty effort and a place on the podium.
- Tai Woffinden’s withdrawal altered the British lineup and their prospects
- Robert Lambert emerged as the unexpected standout for the UK
- Australia ended a 20-year wait for a world team title with standouts Holder and Fricke
- Sweden landed third amid revamped event promotions
The 2022 Speedway of Nations proved that one injury can change everything — and that perseverance still pays off when the odds shift.
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