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“It is difficult to see that this amount of progress is possible in this short amount of time."
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Cormac Buchanan is a confident lad, but there’s a decent dose of humbleness mixed in with that.
While the Southland 17-year-old has always backed his ability, even he confesses his evolution as a motorcycle rider on the world stage is hard to fathom.
In 2021, at just 14-years-old, Buchanan headed for Europe for his first stint in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. The former James Hargest College pupil became the first New Zealander to compete in that series.
Fast forward the clock to last weekend and Buchanan launched himself onto the podium in round one of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship in Italy.
Among the emotions attached to what he describes as his greatest day of racing to date, was a touch of reflection.
“It’s been something I’ve been working towards ever since I started racing five years ago. At the end of 2021, I didn’t actually think this day would come, considering I finished nearly two minutes behind the leader every race,” Buchanan told The Roar Podcast.
“It is difficult to see that this amount of progress is possible in this short amount of time but thanks to my family of course, and everyone in that support circle, they believed in me.”
It was that moment in Italy when Buchanan simply hammered home that he belongs on the world stage as a rising motorcycling star.
With his podium finish came some added belief.
“It’s almost like every year we have something different that raises the confidence,” Buchanan told The Roar Podcast from Italy this week.
“In the first year, when I came over [to Europe], it was just riding with other guys and being able to stick with them.
“The second year was getting my first points [in the Rookies Cup], and last year it was being in that front pack battling for wins, despite not getting any.
“Then obviously this year getting the first podium.”
Buchanan is already achieving things on a bike that no other New Zealand has. His spot on the podium at the JuniorGP World Championships simply fuels the excitement within many motorsport fans as to what is in store for the teenage Southlander.
That fact that he had organisers having to pull out a New Zealand flag as he found a spot on the podium was enough reward for Buchanan.
“When I saw the New Zealand flag on the podium it was a really special moment. I was actually surprised they had a New Zealand flag.
“We're always joking about maybe they have an Aussie flag or something. But I did notice the flag was a bit creased, so maybe it was in the packaging for a while. I'm glad I was able to make them get that out.”
As emotional as the Italy result was, Buchanan isn’t content.
His hunger for ongoing success, rather than a one-off sugar-hit, is obvious.
“It doesn’t mean everything is sold and sealed,” he said of his round one JuniorGP World Championship performance.
“It’s a long championship, we are only in April and it ends in November.
“For me, the main focus is really to stay grounded and to stay humble because I know that is what worked for me that last weekend.
“I was first in some of the practice sessions and fourth in qualifying and it is very easy to get carried away and say the job is done. But the job will be finished in November in eight months time.”
The next round of the JuniorGP World Championships will be held in Portugal next weekend.
Buchanan is already excited by the prospect.
“Estoril, in Portugal, it's one of my favourite places in the whole world, to be honest. It's a really beautiful track.
“It's a really fast track too. So, it's going to be more close racing, it's going to be a fun weekend for sure.”