Craig Cook Signs For Peterboro' In Prem League (double Downer)

[Aces51 2,778]

Wasn't part of the reason for its introduction the reluctance of PL riders to move up to the EL without the safety net of PL. That problem has now been made much worse by the reduction in EL matches. How many would move up if they had to rely solely on EL matches for their income.

 

As Craig has shown it is not ready to break into the Polish market.

[ColinMills 1,728]

Cookie needs to earn money, of course it's OK .....

most sportsmen need to earn money, but will never be convinced by d/u, detest its introduction to a "team sport"

[Trees 2,814]

most sportsmen need to earn money, but will never be convinced by d/u, detest its introduction to a "team sport"

But it's two different leagues, two different teams, two different sets of fans .......

[Crazy robin 2,968]

Surely if riders are not allowed to double up then you run the risk of them not being able to afford to race at all?.

 

In Sweden all their riders are allowed to do it so why shouldn't we allow our riders?.

 

Good luck to Craig who has tried to get rides in Poland & Sweden & it hasn't happened.

 

Maybe if our promotors didn't let useless foreign riders ride in this country we wouldn't have a problem.

[Star Fever 274]

No idea if its right but Cook has a PL average, Watt hasn't.

 

 

Hmm true Its been a while since DW did PL .....but even so it doesn't seem quite right somehow...... maybe next year CC might qualify as a FTR ....

[ColinMills 1,728]

But it's two different leagues, two different teams, two different sets of fans .......

does any "professional sport" have participants in 2 teams?

[Deano 1,318]

Surely if riders are not allowed to double up then you run the risk of them not being able to afford to race at all?.

 

 

Yes you are right. The BSPA though may not be doing this for the riders benefit. One rider, riding for two teams previously probably cost the same as 1.5 riders, so a cost saving short term. Long term, you screw the sport of riders filling that second gap to learn a craft, so now you have riders having to ride for more than one team to fill a space promoters can't afford to really fill with a non double upper. That rider retires, two team places gone, maybe no replacement.

 

Like someone else eluded to, create a sporting environment where riders and promoters earn money and people will be knocking on the door wanting to take a piece of it.

Edited May 5, 2016 by Deano

[Crazy robin 2,968]

does any "professional sport" have participants in 2 teams?

You could argue that speedway isn't a professional sport as team managers are part time & some of the riders have day jobs as well.

 

Guess some riders have to do 2 leagues in their own country to make it a full time wage.

Edited May 5, 2016 by Crazy robin

[ColinMills 1,728]

You could argue that speedway isn't a professional sport as team managers are part time & some of the riders have day jobs as well.

 

Guess some riders have to do 2 leagues in their own country to make it a full time wage.

yes, I get the riders dilemma, and the shortage of riders, but when you go watch your "team" and you find your star rider missing because he is wearing another race jacket is awful

[Deano 1,318]

You could argue that speedway isn't a professional sport as team managers are part time & some of the riders have day jobs as well.

 

Guess some riders have to do 2 leagues in their own country to make it a full time wage.

 

Yes exactly. One of the root causes being costs, exacerbated by doubling up, guesting, watering down etc.

[Crazy robin 2,968]

yes, I get the riders dilemma, and the shortage of riders, but when you go watch your "team" and you find your star rider missing because he is wearing another race jacket is awful

Fair comments.

[Daniel Smith 5,693]

 

 

Hmm true Its been a while since DW did PL .....but even so it doesn't seem quite right somehow...... maybe next year CC might qualify as a FTR ....

 

It's all above board SF. Cook had an average from 2015 which allows him to ride PL.

 

Rider's with PL averages can miss a complete season (2015 - 2017) and drop back down and it's only right that safety net is there. Especially for British rider's. Just can't make it pay with EL alone and with Poland refusing to give him any rides he's fallen back on the PL. Absolutely not problem with that at all.

[robert72 845]

How can Cook be allowed to double down anyway? Apparently Davey Watt wouldn't be able to (not that he wants to....) because his EL average is too high?? If he can't surely Cook is way too high???

Cook is British so it's right he is allowed to get more rides in his own country, rather a Brit than a foreigner.

[stevebrum 6,831]

How can Cook be allowed to double down anyway? Apparently Davey Watt wouldn't be able to (not that he wants to....) because his EL average is too high?? If he can't surely Cook is way too high???

Watt is an EL rider whilst Cook has been a double upper till this season.

I've no issue ensuring British riders get rides in both leagues, that's the least we should be doing to help any home rider.

As for Watt, he might want to drop down (I don't know if true) to earn more money or because his EL days are over (it's only his 'personal issues' that appear to be affecting him not his ability to mix it in the EL) however the rules don't allow him too.

I wouldn't like the rules altered that help none British riders however as that would be plain crazy.

[Trees 2,814]

does any "professional sport" have participants in 2 teams?

This is speedway, different to any other sport. I dare say if riders were earning millions racing for one team they would stick to one but they're not!