Buchanan ‘positive' after career-best ninth

Otago Daily Times

6 days ago

Southland rider Cormac Buchanan recorded a career-best result at the technically demanding Sachsenring in the Moto3 World Championship yesterday.
Finishing ninth, just 1.5sec from victory, after an intense 20-lap battle, which included a stint in the podium positions, the 18-year-old delivered an impressive performance in unpredictable conditions throughout the German Grand Prix.
"It was a positive weekend ... it was one I was really looking forward to as it's one of my favourite tracks from when I raced here with Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup three years ago," he said.
"I'm satisfied for this moment, but I want more."
The opening day was more favourable than expected. Friday's sessions were held in dry conditions, allowing the riders to focus on fine-tuning their setup without having to deal with the instability of a wet track.
Buchanan completed both sessions with increasing pace, although he did not make it directly into Q2, instead qualifying for the Q1 playoff.
Rain fell from the start, leaving the track completely wet in every session. Buchanan showed off his natural talent in the wet, dominating Q1 and advancing to Q2, where he achieved an excellent eighth on the grid, his best qualifying of the year.
In yesterday's race, Buchanan made a spectacular start, moving into third place early then remaining solidly in the lead group.
Finishing ninth was an important step in his progression within the Moto3 ranks.
"I got a great start and was P4 by turn one and then went into third and held that for a couple of laps. I got passed by some riders and I found it difficult to come back from that straight away.
"The tyre didn't feel so great even from the early laps so I had to manage that situation. I dropped down to 15th but managed to regain some positions and get back into the top 10.
"I was feeling really good and ready to make a charge but unfortunately the tyres hindered that.
"It was a case of bringing it home safely which I did in ninth. I'm happy enough but honestly, within myself, there's an element of disappointment as I really feel like an even better result was on the cards today and I knew I could challenge."
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez proved once again why he is known as the King of Sachsenring yesterday when the Ducati rider marked his 200th MotoGP start by winning the German Grand Prix in a race that became a test of survival after only 10 riders finished, Reuters reports.
Marquez's ninth MotoGP victory at the Sachsenring stretched his championship lead over brother Alex, who finished second, to 83 points while Marc's team-mate, Francesco Bagnaia, finished third to sit 147 points behind.
It was a fourth straight weekend in which Marquez had won both the sprint and the race.