LEBEDEVS: COOK ON THE GAS FOR LESZNO

Latvian ace Andzejs Lebedevs says Leszno surprise package Ben Cook is made for the Polish tracks as he bids to end a dream debut season in the PGE Ekstraliga by saving the Bulls from the drop.

Cook only made his European debut with Poole in Britain’s Cab Direct Championship in 2021 but has already won two league and cup doubles with the Pirates, as well as establishing himself in the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership, racing for Peterborough in 2023 and Belle Vue this year.

He was handed an unexpected call-up by Leszno earlier this summer as the club faced an injury crisis, and Cook has excelled in the world’s toughest speedway league. The Cowra-born man is currently 18th in the PGE Ekstraliga average charts on 1.935 points per race – ahead of six members of the full-time Speedway GP line-up.

Leszno is currently bottom of the table on nine points – but just one behind relegation rivals Czestochowa in sixth and Zielona Gora in seventh, who both have 10. The Lions and Falubaz were due to face off on Friday, but the meeting has been postponed due to rain. 

Leszno will be in action and face a difficult assignment away to runaway league leaders Lublin. They will need Cook to continue his heroics against a side featuring four Speedway GP riders – Bartosz Zmarzlik, Fredrik Lindgren, Jack Holder and Dominik Kubera, who are all building up to the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff on August 17.

While the likes of Lebedevs and former SGP winner Janusz Kolodziej were expected to be Leszno’s heroes in 2024, Cook has emerged as an unlikely big scorer in their survival quest. Latvia’s finest admits Cook’s high-scoring exploits have taken many by surprise.

Lebedevs said: “Everyone is surprised, but positively surprised. He is racing well. He has shown us some great speedway. His racing style is for the Polish tracks – big with nice shapes where he can build big speed.

“Ben is doing great on the Polish tracks, and it doesn’t matter who he is racing; he can make a great show on the track. Even with a bad start, he can pass the top riders in the world easily. Everyone is surprised and him also.”