COOK READY TO STEP UP FOR STARS

Great Britain racer Craig Cook believes he’s “up to the task” of stepping into King’s Lynn hero Robert Lambert’s boots as he returns to the Adrian Flux Arena for 2021.

The European champion is sitting out British speedway for this year due to PGE Ekstraliga rules limiting its riders to racing in just one other league.

But Cook will be back in Stars colours. While he believes Lambert’s exit places a little more expectation on his shoulders, he’s ready to spearhead the side in the local favourite’s absence.

He said: “I wanted to come back to Lynn. There is probably a little bit more pressure on me since we lost Robert Lambert, but I feel that I’m up to the task and able to deal with the pressure so I’m just looking forward to getting going.”

Cook did not race at all during the cancelled 2020 season and admits he returns to the sport in a good place mentally.

He said: “I feel like I have got the bug back for speedway. I’m enjoying being in the workshop and everything from my fitness, diet and the whole package around the sport.

“I’m looking forward to it and I really am in a happy place now. I just can’t wait for the season to start.

“I just want to go out and enjoy my racing because the last five or six years in my career have been very tough as I’ve put too much pressure on myself which meant I didn’t enjoy riding.”

Cook admits he been using his time away from the shale to make a few tweaks in the workshop. He revealed: “My Dad and I have been putting our heads together seeing how I can improve just to make the bikes a bit more stable on track and a bit more comfortable for me.

“I like to look at things in-depth and look for any gains in any way that I can to help me progress and move forward. Racing hasn’t been easy for me as I don’t think I’m a natural on the bike so I have worked hard to get where I am today.”

Photo: Taylor Lanning