Back-to-back podium finishes for Buchanan
Southland 17-year-old Cormac Buchanan has made a stunning start to the FIM JuniorGP World Championships with two podium finishes, the latest in Portugal on Sunday night [NZ time].
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Southland’s modern-day Burt Munro has done it again.
Cormac Buchanan’s dream of stepping onto the podium at the FIM JuniorGP World Championship became a reality a fortnight ago when he finished third in round one of the championship in Italy.
But it was far from a one-off. The 17-year-old has just proved that.
Buchanan backed that up with another impressive showing in round two of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship in Portugal on Sunday night [NZ time].
Buchanan picked up another third-place finish to again find himself on the podium.
He started the race in pole position, his debut pole position in the FIM JuniorGP World Championships after a strong qualifying performance.
Then came the main race.
In fast-changing conditions, Buchanan opted to switch to slick tyres while on the grid and his experienced AGR team crew quickly delivered.
Scorching off the line, the Southlander reinforced it was the right decision by leading the first six laps of the shortened 10-lap stanza. Forced to avoid a crash in the lead group of four riders, the sole Kiwi in the field battled to the line, narrowly missing out on second by just 0.04 seconds.
“It was a really good race for me. We went with the slicks last minute and it was still quite a wet track so the priority for me was to come home with some points. Third place is a solid result,” he said.
“I think today the win was on the cards but there’s a few little things to improve and that comes with experience. Avoiding the crash detached me from the leader so I think if that didn’t happen we could have been in for more but third is still really good points for the championship and we keep focused on this.
“With such a cold track the tyres weren’t performing to their optimum and I still had the wet set up so in those circumstances you have to consolidate. Considering where we were on Friday with the big crash and injury, I’m really happy to get another podium.
“My plan was always to get away fast and try to make the group as small as possible. I made a strong start and pushed really hard in the opening laps. It was really difficult because the conditions were changing all the time but it was good to lead the race and I felt really comfortable so this gives me really good confidence heading into Barcelona.”
After two rounds Buchanan sits fifth in the championship standings. The third round will be held in Barcelona, Spain on May 19.
Well done Cormac... great going and fabulous results in such competitive international events.
Go Southland !!