Cormac Buchanan shares his thoughts on racing Moto3 Round 5 at Jerez this weekend. With Free Practice completed along with Q1 and Q2 sessions, Cormac remains focused on the goals at hand heading into his 5th race in Moto3 in his rookie season. Having placed P3 in Q1 and P17 in Q2, the Denssi-Racing BOE rider has plenty of knowledge to put into practice given his pre-season testing and race experience on Spain’s Circuito de Jerez, heading into the main race on Sunday.
Cormac: ‘Heading into a track that I have raced previously definitely helps for sure, almost like your not going in blind. However I know it’s important to treat it like the previous races because everyone is in the same boat. I’m looking forward to Jerez especially as we rode here in the pre-season test when it was my first days on this bike. So it will be nice to see how much we have improved since then’.
Completing Rounds 1 – 4 in Thailand, Argentina, America, and Qatar has certainly tested Cormac’s resolve to roll out the best possible performances on track within 2 week gaps, taking P10 at Circuit of America’s on March 31. Neither daunted by the hectic schedule, adjustment to time-zones, or learning new track layouts, the 18 year old displays strength of mind to make improvements each time on track, no matter if racing goes to plan or otherwise.
Cormac: ‘I think the bigger thing I have learnt is how to approach each session. As a racer you want to be fighting in the front immediately but as a rookie you need to almost take a step back and reign in your expectations. Some days it will go great and other days will be more difficult. It’s about focusing on the process it takes to make more great days then difficult ones. I’ve figured out my approach to the sessions and races now. So I’m really focused on being consistent in that aspect as it has been working for me in these previous races. I’ve found the study going into each weekend has been crucial as well. Using the long flights to watch onboard videos of the track and to make as many “virtual” laps as possible before arriving at the actual circuit allows me visualize the track before I arrive there’.
Taking on board all the complexities of racing Moto3, the journey thus far has been worth savoring, as Cormac embraces his next chapter in his racing career. Why, it was only 4 years ago that Cormac gained the opportunity to be selected to race in Red Bull Rookies Cup – in 2021 to 2023 – followed by competing in FIM JuniorGP World Championship from 2022 to 2024. Notwithstanding the challenges of racing against highly talented up-coming rider’s, Cormac has overcome and risen in ranks to racing a full-calendar season of 22 Rounds in Moto3 in 2025.
Cormac: ‘I think the biggest thing is that the world championship bike is a different bike from my JuniorGP one. It took me a while to figure out the style of riding with this new bike, and I am still learning new things everyday about it. The level is much higher here as well. Everyone here is super fast even the ones fighting in last place. So it makes the gaps very close and tight, so that adds a bit more demand for making clean and consistent laps. As far as the races go it’s quite different as well. They are longer races so we have to think about saving our tires throughout the race, something I’ve managed quite well these first races. Whereas in JuniorGP it’s just full gas from start to finish. So you have to be a lot more race smart and have better race craft to succeed here I feel’.
Film edit on Cormac’s pathway to Moto 3 – credits: Cormac and Team @ MXLink.
Moto3 Round 5, April 25 – 27. Header photo: Cormac Buchanan image: @paco.diaz / @dastmedia
Words: Sharon Cox.
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