Craig with the MSSC Rider of the Year Trophy Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

CRAIG COOK HEADS TO EUROPE

NEWS Saturday 31st October 2015, 8:05pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After an excellent year in British Speedway's Elite & Premier League Craig Cook has made the decision to race in Europe to further his international speedway career.

Craig said, "it's important that I gain additional experience on the European tracks, I had a great race meeting towards the end of this season at the Mayors cup in Krakow finishing second overall. Currently I am considering offers from clubs overseas.

To enable Craig to ride in Europe in the 2016 season sadly he will have to stop riding for one of his UK clubs due to time constraints and racing days. So it's with great sadness that he announces that he cannot continue to race for the Edinburgh Monarchs next season.

Craig continues......."This has been a very hard decision for me as the captain of the Monarchs, but if I want to ride internationally in top flight speedway this is something I have to do to try and secure a 2017 GP place via the GP qualifiers. I would like to thank the club and the fans for all their support in what was a very triumphant and enjoyable 5 years as a Monarch. I wish the Edinburgh Monarchs all the very best for the 2016 race season and beyond. I owe a lot to the Monarchs as I wouldn’t be the rider I am today without the help and support from all you guys.

Thanks again, COOKIE”

The above is the statement released by Craig this evening, which he has kept us fully informed of.

Thus we have reached a watershed moment in our club’s history, after an unforgettable five-year rocketship to the stars led by an amazing rider and person who has driven himself and the team onwards with a unique mixture of ability, bravery and professionalism.

We signed Cookie from Workington in 2011, and after an up-and-down year in 2011 during which he showed signs of what was to come, it has subsequently been success all the way. We have won every trophy available to us during the period 2012 – 2015: Premier League (twice), Knockout Cup, League Cup (twice), Fours (twice), Pairs and Premier League Riders’ Championship, and the only one Craig hasn’t personally lifted is the Pairs.

This of course is because he has had to be away in Cardiff for the GP, but as he pointed out he did win all his races in the competition last time he did ride in it!

We will follow his career with massive interest and have every faith that he can go a long way yet. Those of us who have been privileged to watch him in Monarchs’ colours home and away have never doubted that he can ride alongside the very best in the sport. It will be strange not seeing him and his dad at Armadale but we have a huge store of memories to thank him for.

We will of course be seeing Craig and his family next Saturday at the club’s annual dinner dance.