NEWS Saturday 24th December 2022, 7:00am
Edinburgh Monarchs
The Edinburgh Monarchs team that will take to the shale in 2023 is now complete and the last piece of the jigsaw is a man that needs little introduction …Craig Cook!
Cook returns to the Monarchs after a 7-season gap and the now 35-year-old admits he felt the time was right for a return.
"I am looking forward to it. Armadale has always been a great track for me, especially in 2013, '14 and '15 when I was really strong at home. I am looking forward to getting back that home track advantage and I am looking forward to getting back to using the technique more than it just being about getting the set up right. It's definitely a track that suits me and I am happy to be back."
Cook's previous spell in the Blue and Gold coincided with the most successful era in the Club's history as the Cumbrian was the talisman in sides that lifted the then Premier League title and League cup twice apiece alongside a Knock Out Cup and Fours Championship victory also. While Cook is hungry for more he does admit that maybe 2023 is time for a change in focus slightly.
"2014 and '15 were great, those were two fantastic seasons, and it would be nice to win some more silverware. The name of the game is to win some trophies although maybe this year I am looking at things a little bit different. The last couple of years have been very hard for me and quite stressful so we have changed things up a bit.
"This will be the first year my dad won't be coming with me, he will still be helping me with looking after my engines and stuff like that, but Mitchell Davey will be full time with me. Mitch is a great guy that I've worked with for several years now and we were teammates in the past. He is a great calming influence for me, and I am really excited about going into next year.
"I think it will be a lot less stressful and I can just go enjoy my racing which is key, coming back to the Edinburgh track that I really enjoy riding and my team set up so that I can just enjoy my racing and not think about it. That is what I want to do and that is when you get the best out of me. That's what I am looking for next year - to get to my best if not even better.
"With getting to the Grand Prix in 2018 the aim was always to get to the top and I think my UK form then suffered, so I have forgotten about that now. I am not thinking about getting back to the GP or anything like that, I just want to get my UK form back to where it was and not worry about anything else.
"The engines I have ridden in the last couple of years was all about looking for faster engines for abroad and these became harder to ride so we have some stuff in the pipeline that is easier to ride and allow me to enjoy my racing rather than just being a pilot and the bike riding me. There is a lot going on behind the scenes and it is all aimed at progressing in 2023."
At 35 Cook will be an elder statesman in the Monarch line-up in 2023 and he is also looking forward to lining up with the rest of the team, so far singling out fellow Cumbrian Kyle Bickley as one he can't wait to team up with again.
"I've known Kyle and rode with him, he is a great kid. He has had a lot of pressure on his shoulders from a young age but I think he has now grown into a young man and I know he has made some changes in his life. He will be a lot happier and it will be great to have him.
"I like to think I can help him a lot and that goes for everyone in the team. I like to think I am a great team person so if anyone in the team needs anything I will be there for them and hopefully the same if I need anything from them."
So, there we have it the 2023 Edinburgh Monarchs are now complete, and the countdown is on to the start of what is sure to be another thrilling season ahead.
Craig Cook's return to the Monarchs is supported by Stellar Omada. Helping businesses grow through delivering innovative IT solutions - Stellar Omada are a people focussed, client driven business.
Established in 2018 by like minded industry experts, Stellar Omada is recognised as one of Scotland's fastest growing technology services companies.
2023 Monarchs: Josh Pickering, Kyle Bickley, Jacob Hook, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Paco Castagna, Craig Cook.