The curse of the underdog is an idea that suggests that while smaller fry often have an advantage in motivation, they can frequently struggle when they transition into a position of success. There exists an argument that, once an underdog achieves victory, they lose the hunger and drive that made them successful in the first place, making it harder to maintain their edge. If, like me, you have entered the fray of an endeavour where you seek to stretch the limits of your performance within, as in my case, the workplace, self-doubt and excitement can exist simultaneously.
Professional sport is no different, albeit within this sphere people love rooting for the underdog. And what better opportunity was there to explore this phenomenon than delving into the mindset, motivation, and strategy of British speedway GP wildcard Charles Wright a few days before the double-header in Manchester.
In a calm and pragmatic tone, Charles reflected upon his experience in 2019, but this time there is a vital twist:
“It’s in my hometown, so there’s always going to be a little added pressure. The main thing is to enjoy it and go as far as I can. Back in 2019, it was just good to be part of the event, but this time around I really want to go as far as possible and see what I can do.”
However, Charles doesn’t subscribe to the often lame commentary of the frequently used footnote – it’s just another meeting. “I can’t really block anything out. It’s going to be intense. Everybody wants to win, and everything has to go well on the night. You have to have the right motor, set-up, and attitude. Also, you need a little bit of luck to go your way.”
Contrary to some of the odd rituals of competitors in different sports – such as tennis colossus Serena Williams wearing the same pair of socks throughout an entire tournament, believing it brings her luck, and Michael Jordan wearing his college basketball shorts underneath his kit for good fortune, or indeed Rafael Nadal meticulously arranging his water bottles in a specific order courtside – Charles is more practical. “I’d worry more thinking that I may have forgotten a certain custom!”
Turning to mental fortitude, what’s the dominant mindset? “It’s a big build up this week. Belle Vue is one of those tracks where you can look either really good, or really bad!” Having said that, he was keen to exploit the advantages of living close by, enabling last minute changes to be facilitated that much more easily. He did acknowledge that on race day he becomes more intense and solitary. “When I turn up to any meeting, I’m a different person – very focussed, often saying very little. You see some riders having a laugh and a joke, but as soon as I’m at a meeting I’m deadly serious and in my own zone.”
Stability is Charles’ trump card, with the special proximity of his two-and-a-half year-old son, Oskar, combined with chief cheerleader, confidant, and counsellor, partner Leanne – collectively pure Kryptonite. “She’s so good for me. Keeping me chilled and being the calming influence because she knows me better than anybody – that’s brilliant.”
Cutting to the chase, what does success look like for the British racer? “It’s competing and not embarrassing myself. Being on the pace and ruffling a few feathers; otherwise, there’s no point being there. You can’t just go there and be a part of it. You’ve got to go as far as you can. I don’t really have aims. I usually just take a race at a time and see where we end up in the final standings.” A huge dollop of neurolinguistic programming – whereby seemingly overwhelming odds are broken down into less daunting and achievable smaller steps – complimented his no-nonsense approach to success. “Small steps, as sometimes you can dream too big!”
The bottom line, according to guru Wright, for all budding underdogs out there is simple: “The main thing is to try and enjoy the experience and just put everything you possibly can into it. All you can do is your best.” Charles continued, “There are highs and lows in the sport and it’s sometimes about saving energy where you need to. I’m a very tense person at the track, but that’s not a bad thing because it just means I want it – I want it so much. I think it all comes down to, you know, I’ve got the capability of beating anyone at the highest level. Consistency is the key.”
• Resilience & Determination – he acknowledges the pressure but is focused on making the most of his opportunity, aiming to push himself as far as possible.• Pragmatic & Focused Mindset – unlike athletes who rely on rituals, Charles takes a practical approach, focusing on preparation rather than superstitions.
• Intensity & Mental Fortitude – he becomes deeply serious and focused on race day, emphasising the importance of concentration.
• Adaptability – living close to Belle Vue allows him to make last-minute adjustments, showing his ability to adapt to changing conditions.
• Physical & Mental Endurance – he trains to maintain both physical fitness and mental stability, ensuring he’s prepared for back-to-back races.
• Support System – his family provide emotional balance, giving him stability and calmness amidst the competitive pressures.
• Process-Oriented Approach – instead of setting big, overwhelming goals, he takes things race by race, breaking challenges into manageable steps.
• Competitive Spirit – he doesn’t aim to simply participate; he wants to be competitive, shake up the field, and prove his capability at the highest level.
Studies have explored how rational expectations can sometimes enhance performance through motivation and psychological reactance. For example, research published in the Academy of Management Journal examined the underdog effect, where individuals who perceive themselves as unlikely to succeed may perform better due to a desire to prove others wrong. Whilst another study found that underdogs with an incremental mindset – believing abilities can improve – tend to have higher self-efficacy in competitive settings. Furthermore, research has investigated why people support underdogs, analysing the emotional and psychological appeal of cheering on those at a disadvantage. At the conclusion of our conversation, I felt a connection with the pragmatism of our national wildcard and the notion of choosing sides: David versus Goliath left me with only one valid option – a tenner on Charles to repeat the feat of Martin Dugard in 2000, on the opening night in Manchester!
Heat 6: beaten up on the second turn and that was that.
Heat 9: the dream is still alive! A swashbuckling ride by Charles. 3 points.
Heat 16: on the final bend Jan Kvech blocks his favoured inside track and all but extinguishes Charles’ hopes of making the semis. But there is one race to go and underdogs have nothing to lose!
Heat 19: bows out with his head held high shutting the door firmly on Jason Doyle.
As I left The National Speedway Stadium I was reminded of the famous Churchillian cry – “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
But on the following Monday Charles smashed this historical quote with a social media post that simply ended with the words, “To Oskar, I hope I made you proud son.”
You did Charles and the rest of the nation too.
© Ian Kirke 2025 & all photographs.
@ iankirke.bsky.social