CRAIG FIRST IN ACTION

NEWS Sunday 9th March 2014, 10:11am

by Toby Lerone

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The 2014 speedway season gets underway on Sunday at Leicester with the staging of the, now traditional, Ben Fund Bonanza event.

This year, in a change from tradition, the meeting will feature a team event with Team GB taking on the Rest of the World. Craig Cook becomes the first Scotwaste Monarch in action this year when he lines up for the GB team. It is a strong looking line up for Great Britain with world Champion Tai Woffinden, Chris Harris and Danny King also in the team.

The World team has Bjarne Pedersen at number one with Aussies Grajczonek, Woodward, Protor and Morris forming the backbone of the team.

Craig has undertaken an extensive training programme during the winter to be as fit as possible for what will be another busy season for him. He has great ambitions to progress in the sport and this is another important year in his rise to the very top.

Of course this event is not about winning, although when you put a speedway rider on a bike that's all he wants to do, it is to raise vital funds for the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.

With the weather set fair and quite high temperatures it looks like being an enjoyable day for everyone.