Cook wants to rule the world with Great Britain

World Cup final

Panthers number one Craig Cook wants to help Great Britain rule the speedway world.

Cook was part of the GB quartet which roared to silvermedal success in the World CupFinal last Saturday night.

The 29 year-old scored five points from as many rides at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester – his home Elite League track– as the host nation finished as runners-up to champions Poland.

Cook’s finest contribution came in heat 16 when he pow- er ed to victory to help a late GB charge as they climbed from last to second in the standings.

Cook said: “It was fantastic to be a part of such a great meeting and hopefully our performance can do a lot for speedway. There is no better feeling than winning a race in a World Cup Final in a Great Britain race suit.

“To chip in with those vital points in heat 16 was really pleasing. I’m just a bit disappointed I didn’t start the night as well as I finished it.

“A few people wrote us off before the meeting and that gave us an extra bit of motivation. We all dug deep and gave our all, and it was a learning curve for us as well. To finish second despite making a few mistakes and missing out on points is a great effort.

“We now have to build on this and next year we’ll definitely be going for gold.”

Poland roared to victory on 39 points last Saturday with Great Britain seven points adrift in second on 32. Swe- den, the 2015 winners, had to settle for bronze on 30 points while a weakened Australia side brought up the rear on 22.

Two- time world champion Tai Woffinden inspired the GB effort with a 19-point haul boosted by a successful double-points ‘joker’ ride which pulled them back into contention.

Hunting don-based British champion Danny King also scored five points while fellow former Panthers rider, Robert Lambert, managed three.