Maryport speedway racer Dan Bewley helped Great Britain to a first world title since 1989.

Bewley was brought into the side yesterday for the second day of the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester after triple world champion Tai Woffinden crashed out and was injured on the opening day on Saturday.

The 22-year-old rider and team-mate Robert Lambert clinched the silverware in a dramatic grand final shootout against Poland in front of a sell-out crowd.

Ex-Workington Comets star Bewley scored 11 points as Great Britain made their way into the grand final qualifier against Denmark – winning 6-3 – then triumphed 5-4 to secure the title.

British Speedway chairman Rob Godfrey said: “On behalf of the board of directors of British Speedway Promoters Ltd, I would like to offer our sincere congratulations to the GB speedway team for this magnificent achievement.

“All four riders who represented our nation this weekend are products of our National Development League and have come through the leagues at Championship and Premiership level.

“After what has been a challenging two years for British Speedway, this is a fantastic boost for the sport and we couldn’t be more proud.

“We congratulate the management and the backroom team in the GB organisation and they can, to a person, all feel extremely proud.”

Bewley and Lambert knew avoiding last last place in the final would hand them the world title but the Cumbrian found himself at the back on the first lap, only to bounce back and earn Great Britain's first gold medals since the World Team Cup Final in 1989 – before any of this year's winners were born.

Lambert said: “We have had a hard weekend with Tai getting injured. But obviously we had a strong guy to come into the team in Dan.

“I was born in 1998. It’s the first time in my lifetime that I have seen Great Britain as world champions, apart from Woffy being a world champion as an individual.

"It’s a great feeling and I am going to treasure this gold medal for as long as I live.

“We did it with such a young team as well. Me and Dan went out and did the business in the last race at such a high level against the two best Poles in the world.

"It’s such a great feeling for us and also GB.

"I am very, very proud of everyone involved.”