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Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Buchanan ‘positive' after career-best ninth
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.
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Buchanan walks away from 245kmh crash
Cormac Buchanan. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Southland rider Cormac Buchanan escaped serious injury after crashing at 245kmh in the latest round of the Moto3 World Championship. A high-speed crash when his front wheel was taken out denied Buchanan the chance of a strong finish in round 10 of the championship in the Netherlands. He was in a points-scoring position when his wheel was hit by the bike of Nicola Carraro on lap 13, sending both crashing on the fastest corner of the Assen circuit. Fortunately, they escaped serious injury. "It's a real shame because the pace and potential was there for a decent finish," Buchanan said. "After a disappointing qualifying, we were making another great comeback, battling from 22nd to join the leading group after a decent start. "I felt quite strong, even when the tyre started to drop a little, lapping faster than I have all weekend." When the group split in two, Buchanan was determined to bridge the 2sec gap to the leaders. "Unfortunately, at corner 15, the fastest place on the circuit, I had my front wheel swiped out from underneath me by a rider trying to overtake me, and crashed at 245kmh — for sure, one of the fastest crashes of my career. "I'm glad to walk away with only minor injuries. "Naturally I'm quite upset as, in my opinion, this overtake wasn't correct, and extremely unnecessary and dangerous. However, racing can go like this sometimes." Buchanan, 18, arrived at Assen with ambition and determination. He started strongly on a wet track, achieving a promising P4 in FP1, under difficult conditions. However, as the Assen layout dried out, finding rhythm was more difficult. and he did not directly advance to Q2. Buchanan's next assignment is the Grand Prix of Germany from July 11-13. — APL
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Race two fightback keeps Hakim Danish on top
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite mixed results over the weekend, Hakim Danish Ramli remains in the driver's seat in the Red Bull Rookies (RBR) Cup title race. Hakim finished race one at Mugello a disappointing 13th on Saturday (June 21) but bounced back strong to finish second in race two yesterday (June 22). "My strategy for race one did not work out but Alhamdullilah, everything went well for me in race two," said Hakim today. "It (race two) was another tough race as there was plenty of overtaking both on the straights and in the corners. "As usual, the plan was to stay with the front group and work my way up the field. I was able to execute my strategy. "I am looking forward to my next races at Magny-Cours (July 6) for the FIM JuniorGP World Championship and Sachsenring (July 12-13)." Hakim who won his first RBR race this season at Aragon (race two) earlier this month, leads the championships on 148 points. Spaniard Brian Uriarte is second on 116 points while Indonesia's Veda Pratama is third in the championship race on 92 points. Hakim is currently fourth overall in the FIM Junior GP series on 38 points after three races. Uriarte leads the FIM Junior GP title race with 75 points. Hakim is expected to make the step up to the Moto3 World Championship next year.
Otago Daily Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Buchanan ‘super happy' with second top-10 finish
There are plenty of positives for Cormac Buchanan after his latest Moto3 World Championship finish. The Southland motorcycle racer clinched his second top-10 finish — just 1.7sec from the winner — yesterday to record his best performance of the season. The undulating challenges of Spain's Motorland Aragon proved a happy hunting ground for the Kiwi teenager, confirming his evolution in the sport in partnership with the Denssi Boe Motorsports team. "I'm really happy to finish in the front group and with the smart race I rode," Buchanan said. "Obviously, a bit disappointing because there was a lot more potential than 10th there. But I guess to not be over the moon with 10th place just shows how much we've progressed. "The weekend as a whole I was super happy with how we worked." Securing his second top-10 finish in a race marked by high temperatures and the demanding degradation of the tyres, Buchanan managed each phase with intelligence. Mid-race, when many began to struggle, Buchanan increased his pace, closing the distance with the head group until finally placing only 1.7sec from the Spanish winner, David Munoz. Buchanan planned to ease into the race to not wear his tyres out early after watching others opening with gas. " ... knew that would destroy the tyres before the end of the race". His patience paid off. "With about six laps to go, I saw that my tyres were good compared to the others around me so I knew that was my moment to go for it. "I got to the front of the second group then just tried to do my own pace. I had been practising all weekend and was able to bridge quite a big gap to the lead group. "I was in the front group with about four laps to go which was a pretty cool feeling to be there for the first time in the world championship. "I made my way up to about sixth or seventh, but unfortunately a bit of contact bumped me back again. We could have fought for the podium so it was a bittersweet feeling." Buchanan's performance was notable for his speed, racing at the same pace as the leaders and exceeding his classification time marked on Saturday. He walked away feeling "very positive" about the weekend. "We had a process that we wanted to work on which was focused on working alone without the slipstream or the reference to prepare for the race," he said. "We were riding every single session, including the qualifying, thinking about yesterday's race and doing laps alone to make sure I improve and develop a good feeling by myself." — Marc Marquez proved once again that he is the master of MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the championship yesterday. Marquez's brother, Alex, finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's team-mate, Francesco Bagnaia, came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium. Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1043 days at the same circuit, and he repeated his feat as the pole-sitter and sprint winner claimed a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track. Such was Marc's dominance he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session — including warmups, practice and qualifying — since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015. — APL/Reuters
New Straits Times
08-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Hakim Danish clinches first win of season in Aragon
f KUALA LUMPUR: Motorcycle racer Hakim Danish Ramli did his chances of securing a seat in Moto3 next year no harm after emerging victorious at the Aragon leg of the Red Bull Rookies Cup today (June 8). Hakim, who finished second in race one yesterday (June 7), went one better in race two today, taking the flag ahead of Spanish duo Brian Uriarte (+0.188s) and David Gonzalez (+0.195s). It was Hakim's first race win of the season - he had placed second in his first five races - and further consolidated his position atop the championship standings with 125 points to his name. It was a commendable achievement for Hakim, who started from seventh on the grid, which is likely to boost his chances of moving up to the Moto3 World Championship next year. Last month Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif disclosed that Hakim essentially has a seat waiting for him in Moto3 next season but must first prove himself worthy of the slot. Hakim is a product of SIC's two-wheel talent development programme which is run by ZK Racing. Mugello will host the next round of the Red Bull Rookies Cup on June 21-22.
