Caught out in perilous conditions, New Zealand grand prix racer Cormac Buchanan is ruing what might have been at the iconic Le Mans circuit in France.
A frustrating crash in the opening stages of Sunday’s Moto3 World Championship race blemished an otherwise excellent weekend on track for the kiwi battler.
The Southland teenager was one of a staggering 14 crashes within the 26-strong field which succumbed to the tricky wet conditions. The race was an exercise in survival as the Le Mans asphalt, treacherous in the rain, became a low-grip trap that dashed Buchanan’s hopes.
“About 20 minutes before our race it started pouring down. I knew I was quick in the wet, I knew it was a really big opportunity to be on the podium. My initial focus was just to get through the first lap but in corner seven a rider checked up so I touched the throttle to avoid a collision and in doing so I lost the rear and it spat me off,” Buchanan said.
“It certainly isn’t what I wanted and it feels like a missed opportunity for sure, but those things you can’t focus on. We had a really clean weekend, no mistakes, improved every session, rode really fast alone, and secured a place in Q2.
“My pace was super consistent, every lap within one or two tenths of a second of my best which would have bode well in a dry race. So, the positives definitely outweigh that one moment.
“Yes, it’s frustrating not to have the race results yet to back up the progress I have made this season but it’s not far away and I will keep doing what I’m doing. I’m ready for full throttle at Barcelona.
“We can’t dwell on this as it’s race week again immediately. My goal now for Barcelona is to continue this momentum we have worked so hard for. I don’t really have to change anything – I know that now – and physically I’m nearly back to where I was pre the Brazil crash.”
Buchanan was solid from the outset at the historic Bugatti Circuit, finishing every session less than a second from the fastest time set in the highly-competitive field.
“Overall, I’m really happy with the weekend. Right from the start on Friday we were working in a good way and I felt strong on the bike, just missing passing straight to Q2. Still, it was a big step from Jerez where we were still lacking in one lap pace,” he said.
“In qualifying I knew I could trust my instincts and go it alone. I managed one of my best laps of the season to secure a place in Q2. I hadn’t felt that good on the bike since the crash in Brazil so it was really special to feel like that – like I was getting back to where I was which makes me feel really happy.
“In Q2 I went again alone. For sure there are some advantages going with the group but I had to back myself and I knew I would be able to get the most out of the session if I went alone because for sure in the group there would be games.
“My best sectors were not all together so that cost me a top 10 spot on the grid but we were satisfied with P15 as it was another step forward.”
Buchanan now prepares for his CODE BOÉ Motorsports team’s home race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
