SIMON Lambert is the final piece in Scunthorpe's 2026 team jigsaw.
The Scorpions have confirmed the return of the experienced Lincolnshire-born rider, who has been with the club since 2019 when he rejoined the Eddie Wright Raceway outfit having first ridden for Scunthorpe in 2009-10. Lambert completes the team for the new season alongside Josh Pickering, Michael Palm Toft, Connor Mountain, Luke Harrison, Nathan Ablitt and Ryan Ingram. Team manager David Howe says: “Simon is a key rider for the team. After last season, Rob (Godfrey, Scunthorpe promoter) and I were not 100 per cent sure which way we wanted to go with the team. Apart from Luke (Harrison), who I always wanted back, it was a bit of a blank sheet. “Signing Josh Pickering at No. 1 forced the direction of team building because you can’t have it all ways. As the team came together, we could see that Simon fitted that final spot pretty perfectly, and I’m not sure that there are many more capable riders on his average. “I had a few long conversations with Simon, and he told me how he felt, and I was honest with him and my expectations on-and-off track. Scunthorpe are usually very loyal to their riders, but this wasn’t loyalty; this was maths. I also didn’t want another club to benefit from Simon having a bad year last season. He is on a bargain average, but it’s only a bargain if it was a blip and not his level; it’s now in Simon’s hands to show us that it’s a bargain. “I am also aware of how much Simon has given the club behind the scenes. I’d like him to take a step back from that and his other responsibilities and solely focus on riding. Having Josh as our captain will help with that as he is a natural in that role."
