uk_martin Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Craig Cook dipped out of the GB v Australia test series a couple of years ago because "he couldn't afford it". Craig Cook hasn't been selected for GB for the Kings Lynn leg of the SWC this year. Reasons for his ommission haven't been made public.Then the Google translated interview with the Stal Gorzow boss reveals: It may, however, need to shake up the team? The staff are also Craig Cook and Peter Karlsson. Worth a try?- Even before the game with Falubaz Zielona, we Gora considered the movements of personnel with the participation of both players, which you mentioned. But there is a fundamental problem. They are not ready to compete in PGE Extraliga. They did not want to take on this task. OK, Peter Karlsson may not be up for it, but Craig Cook should have grasped this chance with both hands if he had any ambition at all to progress and get to the top of his game, shouldn't he? Is it time to finally concede that Craig Cook doesn't have what it takes for British fans to hang their hat on for the future? Will he simply revert now to being a Premier League journeyman rider for the rest of his years in the sport? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Craig Cook dipped out of the GB v Australia test series a couple of years ago because "he couldn't afford it". Craig Cook hasn't been selected for GB for the Kings Lynn leg of the SWC this year. Reasons for his ommission haven't been made public. Then the Google translated interview with the Stal Gorzow boss reveals: OK, Peter Karlsson may not be up for it, but Craig Cook should have grasped this chance with both hands if he had any ambition at all to progress and get to the top of his game, shouldn't he? Is it time to finally concede that Craig Cook doesn't have what it takes for British fans to hang their hat on for the future? Will he simply revert now to being a Premier League journeyman rider for the rest of his years in the sport? Craig Cook is nothing more than Top PL rider. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillipsr Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hes never been anything more than a top PL rider anyway he was never going to progress beyond that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 I don't think speculation will help him, GB supporters or his fans. Personally I was saddened by his form when he has had chances on the bigger stage but maybe it's a bit early to write him off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Some people seem to enjoy failure more than success. Horrible to be like that. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwatcher Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 I said last year that Craig Cook. Had reached the level that he was sadley unable to make the final hurdle to go on the bigger things, when I stated that he wasn't even in the class of an EL I was called down by folks on here, who thought he would and still could make it to the higer stages of the sport. Sorry to say though, it looks like he will be nothing better than a top PL rider and I think he will be evn struggling to get a team place next year in the EL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK86 Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 I think as a rider he has the ability to be a top rider in Elite League, but maybe it is just the money issue of trying to keep up with top boys in elite league and Cook might just think he is making a tidy living racing at the top of premier league and doesn't need to risk everything money wise and maybe stop enjoying sport at same time.I think some fans need to just lighten up and let Cook manage his career and expectations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post John Leslie Posted June 2, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Craig Cook is, (I think without checking), about the 4th highest averaging Brit in The EL, and one of the PL top performers. In terms of the SWC team for King's Lynn, I'd have Woffinden, Harris and Lambert nailed on, with the last place between King and Cook. In a 7 man GB team Cook would be definitely in. So he's probably in our top half-dozen Brits. The fact he possibly isn't all that bothered about riding Polish league is a bonus in my opinion. British Speedway should have far more Craig Cooks staffing the boiler-room of our EL teams and heading up our PL teams. If Britain could produce a stream of Cook type riders some would push on and some would remain journeymen, but we'd need far less crap foreigners clogging our leagues and far less guests. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Craig Cook is, (I think without checking), about the 4th highest averaging Brit in The EL, and one of the PL top performers. In terms of the SWC team for King's Lynn, I'd have Woffinden, Harris and Lambert nailed on, with the last place between King and Cook. In a 7 man GB team Cook would be definitely in. So he's probably in our top half-dozen Brits. The fact he possibly isn't all that bothered about riding Polish league is a bonus in my opinion. British Speedway should have far more Craig Cooks staffing the boiler-room of our EL teams and heading up our PL teams. If Britain could produce a stream of Cook type riders some would push on and some would remain journeymen, but we'd need far less crap foreigners clogging our leagues and far less guests. Has he not stated that he is trying to break into the Polish League.He is a top Brit but that's as far as it goes,we are not full of world class riders nowadays though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben91 Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) All Brits should be aspiring to ride in Poland, it is the pinnacle of league Speedway racing by a mile. Cook has a lot of expectation put on him unfairly however IMO. He's not a youngster, he was a latecomer to the sport and to get to where he is now is an achievement in itself. He's done more than a lot of other riders his age and he could of course continue to improve still. These threads are never started about Kennett, King, Barker etc, all a similar age to Cook and all have been around the Speedway scene a lot longer. Edited June 2, 2015 by RocketBen1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 All Brits should be aspiring to ride in Poland, it is the pinnacle of league Speedway racing by a mile. Cook has a lot of expectation put on him unfairly however IMO. He's not a youngster, he was a latecomer to the sport and to get to where he is now is an achievement in itself. He's done more than a lot of other riders his age and he could of course continue to improve still. These threads are never started about Kennett, King, Barker etc, all a similar age to Cook and all have been around the Speedway scene a lot longer. The 3 you mention have tried and failed to take the step up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben91 Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 The 3 you mention have tried and failed to take the step up. Can't say I recall Barker or Kennett having had Polish team spots, though I could be wrong. Even if they have tried and failed they could always try again and are just as likely to succeed as Cook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 I must admit that I did expect Cook to progress faster and further than he has done. We all have limitations, perhaps Cook has gone as far as he can perhaps not - only time will tell. A bit early to be writing him off yet I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Can't say I recall Barker or Kennett having had Polish team spots, though I could be wrong. Even if they have tried and failed they could always try again and are just as likely to succeed as Cook. Worcrow and Torun respectively for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sommelier Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Has he not stated that he is trying to break into the Polish League.He is a top Brit but that's as far as it goes,we are not full of world class riders nowadays though. Yes i believe & thought he was trying to make it in Poland. That was the reason he gave for pulling out of the Ben Fund due to his bikes in Poland!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 IF Cook has declined the opportunity to ride in Poland it's a great shame. I've long said that I don't believe he has reached his full potential but he won't reach that until he rides abroad a lot more. If he is content riding and earning well in the two leagues over here then good luck to him but I hope he doesn't regret it when he retires. As a Team GB supporter it frustrating but I wish him well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 There's always the possibility that the translation isn't quite right. Or more likely our Polish friends doing a bit of stirring as they tend to think the rider only rides for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffdiamond Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 He might scared of flying, or something,,, I don't like flying on planes, cos it's boring and I've got long legs and you can't smoke :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelvinht Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 IF Cook has declined the opportunity to ride in Poland it's a great shame. I've long said that I don't believe he has reached his full potential but he won't reach that until he rides abroad a lot more. If he is content riding and earning well in the two leagues over here then good luck to him but I hope he doesn't regret it when he retires. As a Team GB supporter it frustrating but I wish him well. Exactly. Until he, or any other Brit learns to ride the big fast European tracks (not the smaller/trick tracks in the UK), they will never compete on the world stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthegearbutnaeidea Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Cook doesnt have the ambition, got talent but is completely wasted, one of the most talented riders around Berwick by far in the past 10 years but seems to waste it by posting stupid things on social media and not taking up opportunities that everybody else would bite at the chance to take Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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