The Red Bull Rookies Cup is a happy place for Kiwi adventurer Cormac Buchanan and we’re pleased today to bring you the Invercargill man’s latest blog.
“My goal for this year is to put the past seasons’ gremlins behind me and to be with the front pack battling for the whole race.
“As many of you will be aware, we are currently in the midst of our summer break halfway through the season.
“It’s quite a strange feeling to be here in 38 degrees and chat to friends at home in New Zealand who are hunkering down over winter.
“The halt in racing is a chance to reflect on a hectic first half of the season which has included nine rounds of racing in five different countries in the past three months.
“Overall, I am happy with the progress we have made so far this season. Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has been a journey of highs and lows – from a hard-fought P5 at Le Mans to three frustrating DNFs at Mugello and Assen. Sometimes lessons are delivered the hard way but the important thing is to convert them into knowledge.
“One thing’s for sure. The strength of your support network really come into play when things don’t go to plan. It meant so much to me to have family visiting from NZ, including my mum, girlfriend Jess, her dad Grant and older sister Emily. Nothing beats a familiar face when you’re on the other side of the world, knowing they have my back unconditionally.
“In my first JuniorGP World Championship campaign with AGR Racing, I am really loving the KTM Moto3 machine and developing my riding style so we are firmly in the hunt.
“At Jerez, I qualified P3 and gained valuable experience when leading both races and fighting for the podium places. Despite a long lap penalty for exceeding track limits, I fought back to snatch P5 in race one and, after an epic battle into the final corner, claimed P4 in race two.
“That 0.06 second margin I missed out on the podium by definitely hurts and that’s a good thing. It fuels my motivation to fight even harder.
“Every day since that last Rookies race in Assen the only goal I’ve had is to wake up a better rider.
“My training has included everything from cycling and gym work to flat track, enduro, motocross and trials on the bike. It’s always fun to mix it up.
“We went into this summer break on a good note with a P9 finish in Race 2 at the mighty ‘Cathedral of Speed’. But being honest with myself I wanted so much more and this season has been a battle at times. My goal is to finally tick off that dream of standing on a MotoGP podium and I will keep fighting for it.
“It’s now just under 20 days until we get back underway at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. It’s a track that in the past has been difficult for me. My goal for this year is to put the past seasons’ gremlins behind me and to be with the front-pack battling for the whole race.
“Every day I feel I am getting stronger and fitter and I know I am ready to make the next step.
“The final two rounds at Austria and Misano will be my last in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. It’s not time to sum up my Rookies journey just yet as the story isn’t quite written. I want to soak up as much as I can and enjoy these last two rounds, appreciating the incredible opportunity I have had.”
© Photo courtesy Red Bull Rookies
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