Will Rossiter stick or twist?

TEAM GB is aiming for gold as the Speedway Of Nations finals take place in Wroclaw, Poland over the next two days.
And after making the decision to replace Craig Cook with under-21 rider Robert Lambert for the majority of races in Tuesday evenings Race Off 2 event, the decision now facing the Swindon Robins manager, is will he stick or twist for the final? TotalSport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his analysis.

Going into Tuesday’s event in Manchester, Grand Prix riders Tai Woffinden and Craig Cook were picked by Rossiter to be the main talisman in the side, with King’s Lynn’s Robert Lambert chosen as the team’s under-21 rider. 

And with the action being held at Cook’s home club track, the Belle Vue Aces, it was unlikely that Lambert would feature in the action. However after coming third in his first heat, Rossiter made the brave decision to replace Cook with the youngster and reaped the rewards of his decision as Lambert scored 8 points and helped advance Team GB to the competitions final.

But with the pressure now firmly on as the side compete against six other nations including reigning World champions Poland over the two-legged final, Rossiter is faced with the decision of either putting his faith in Cook’s experience or trusting the youth and hunger of Lambert.

Now in his first season of being a fully-fledged GP rider, Craig Cook has had to raise his game this year in order to compete with the elite riders of the World. And with over ten years career racing experience, the current British champion is a dangerous rider who on his day has the talent to win the most competitive of races. 

Currently racing for both the Belle Vue Aces and Rybnik, in England and Poland respectively, Cook has a wealth of racing experience. But this year has seen his form drop and it’s clear that Cook hasn’t been happy with his own performances in club or GP racing this season.

In contrast, Robert Lambert has endured arguably the best season of his career so far sitting at the top of the British Premiership rider averages and now racing across three different leagues, Poland, Sweden, and Britain. 

His machinery looked far quicker than that of Cook’s on Tuesday night and many would justifiably say he deserves the opportunity to be partnered alongside Woffinden for the final in Poland. 

Racing in Poland is completely different to racing anywhere else in the World, any rider who has raced there will tell you that. Tracks are quicker, there are more racing lines, and the competition that Team GB will face over the two nights is levels above what Lambert will be used to.

Two-time World champion Woffinden is a guaranteed starter and the measure of success will come down to his performances over the two nights. A reliable partner is required though and it’s crucial for Rossiter to make the right decision. 

Lambert offers determination, ruthlessness and the hunger to succeed that is regularly associated with younger riders, whereas Cook offers experience and the knowledge of being a Grand Prix rider. 

Current form indicates that Lambert should be given the chance to start the event as Woffinden’s partner and this may be the most likely of scenarios. But don’t be surprised if Rossiter reverts to his original decision and gives Cook another chance to prove his worth.