Cormac Buchanan has wrapped up his debut season in the Moto3 World Championship, finishing 20th in the standings and closing out a year he describes as both challenging and immensely rewarding.
The 18-year-old Southlander faced a campaign filled with highs and lows, including injuries, crashes, and moments of lost confidence, yet still showed flashes of genuine front-running pace.
Looking back on the season, Buchanan acknowledged the difficulties of competing against the world’s best riders as a rookie.
“I knew there would be ups and downs stepping into this championship, but the tough weekends are the ones that teach you the most,” he said.
“They’ll make me a stronger racer in the long run.”
Buchanan’s results highlight a promising first year: he secured three top-10 finishes, scored points in nine races, and reached Q2 multiple times. On several occasions, he found himself battling at the front of the pack, even contending for podiums.
“Of course, the DNFs cost us, but overall there’s a lot to be proud of. We’ve been in the fight with the leaders on multiple weekends, and that’s a big positive to take forward.”
The season was not without setbacks. A mid-year knee injury at Brno disrupted his momentum, and the closing flyaway rounds proved tricky as Buchanan worked to regain confidence on the bike.
Valencia, the final round, was particularly difficult. Oil on the track during the first practice session caused a crash that left him sidelined for the remainder of FP1, putting him at a disadvantage for the rest of the weekend.
“FP1 was a nightmare,” he said.
“The bike hit me in the back, I missed laps, and after that it was always going to be tough. Saturday and Sunday were really challenging — I just didn’t have the good feeling we’ve had on other weekends.”
Despite the frustrating finale, Buchanan is focusing on the positives and the lessons learned.
“This year has been incredible — one of the best of my life,” he reflected.
“I’ve learned so much, and now I want to take those lessons into 2026 and make another big step forward with Denssi BOE Motorsports.”
With the talent he has already displayed and the experience gained from his rookie season, Buchanan enters the next chapter of his career with optimism and determination.
Header Image: Paco Diaz
