- Cormac Buchanan enters his second Moto3 season with BOE Motorsports
- A strong rookie year was disrupted by injury but delivered multiple top 10 results
- The Invercargill teenager says confidence is higher heading into 2026
After a demanding rookie campaign, Kiwi Moto3 rider Cormac Buchanan is heading into his second world championship season fitter, wiser and more determined than ever.
New Zealand Moto3 rider Cormac Buchanan is heading back to Europe with renewed focus and confidence as he prepares for his second season in the Moto3 World Championship.
The Invercargill teenager returns to Spain this week to rejoin BOE Motorsports ahead of the 22-round world championship, which will once again criss-cross 18 countries between February and November. After a demanding rookie campaign, Buchanan says the off-season reset has been just as important as the physical preparation.
“Physically, I feel in the best shape I’ve ever been. Now the focus is on increasing the bike fit component even further when I get back to Spain,” he said.
Spending time at home in New Zealand played a crucial role in that process.
“Honestly, it was just good to do nothing for the first two weeks. I really needed that break after a difficult end to the season and the biggest championship I had ever raced in terms of the number of rounds and the distances involved all around the world. I admit I needed the time to reset.”
Once the enforced downtime ended, Buchanan quickly returned to full training mode.
“After the break enforced by my trainer, I was ready to give it everything and leave no stone unturned as we prepare for this new campaign.”
“I’ve been doing a lot both on and off the bikes, making the most of my time here so getting onto that plane tomorrow for Spain, I know I have done everything possible as far as New Zealand goes to put myself into the best position. Now I will continue to build on that with even more intensity.”
Limited racing opportunities over summer included a Southland Motorcycle Club meeting at Teretonga and a recent outing at Ruapuna with the KMD Racing team aboard its Yamaha R6. For Buchanan, the chance to race at home still carries extra meaning.
“There’s something special about the vibe and comradery in the Kiwi paddock so it’s always nice to be back amongst it. I was hoping to get back for MotoFest and round three of NZSBK at Hampton Downs in March because the racing is going to be epic but unfortunately the schedule is too tight,” he said.
Even so, the competitive mindset never switched off.
“I had to resist the urge to relax though as the focus must always be to do the best job possible. While it might not be a big event, I felt it was important mentally to treat it like a high-level championship because that’s what’s going to make the difference – just ruthlessly racing all the time.”
“Every time I go on the track I want to perform to the best of my abilities and that’s why I was able to battle with the superbikes on my 600. It gave me a really good challenge and reignited the fire.”
Buchanan’s rookie Moto3 season delivered encouraging numbers: 32 championship points, three top-10 finishes, nine Q2 appearances and a best result of ninth at Sachsenring — just 1.8 seconds from victory. A knee injury at Brno one week later, however, disrupted momentum and made the second half of the year a grind.
“Heading into the new season, that intimidation you often feel as a rookie is gone. I deserve my place in the world championship and New Zealand deserves to have a Kiwi racing in the world championship – I’m determined to prove it,” he said.
That confidence now shapes his approach for 2026.
“My goal is to do the best job possible on any given weekend. I had really good moments last year but I want that to now to be the platform we build up from. I want the best version of myself last year to just be the average version this year – we need to take it up some notches.”
Buchanan knows consistency at the sharp end of Moto3 is no small task.
“That’s easier said than done in the Moto3 world championship because it is some of the most brutal and intense racing on the planet. I want to be consistently battling in the front group.”
“I have a lot of goals for 2026, and I know those goals won’t happen if I don’t execute this season strongly to the best of my abilities.”
A plethora of valuable lessons add to his reinforced arsenal.
“I’ve been thinking about the learnings from last year a lot and discussing with my inner circle what needs to change and we’ve identified the key points going into this season. I know I’m in a better shape than I was going into last season and at any point during it so that box is already ticked off,” he said.
“Now it’s just going to come down to my team and I doing a good job and making sure that even on our difficult days, we are working as a team and all doing our respective roles well. I’m so ready to get back with my team and into the Moto3 paddock so we can get to work.
“I’m excited to be racing again in a high level competition with the sheer intensity that comes with. I was fast last year and I know I’m a better person, a better rider and a better athlete now so I’m excited to see how that stacks up against the best in the world.”
Official preseason testing will be held in Portugal and Spain before the opening round in Thailand at the end of February.
“The track I really can’t wait to get back to is Brno. That was shaping up as my best weekend last year but obviously it all came unstuck. You could say I have unfinished business there.
“Then there’s some races like Germany where I had my best result, but I know I didn’t do a good race there, at least in my opinion, so I’m looking forward to going back there and doing it better.
“When you go into your second season, you have all of the previous data from your rookie year available at each track so that sets your benchmark and you can use it as a target to beat. There are some tracks where if I do that, anything is possible.
“It’s not just the racing but everything that comes with MotoGP like the cool atmosphere in Texas and a new country on the calendar like Brazil. I’m ready for it.”
Q&A: Cormac Buchanan
Who is Cormac Buchanan?
Cormac Buchanan is a New Zealand motorcycle road racer competing in the Moto3 World Championship. He hails from Invercargill and is the only Kiwi racing full-time on the MotoGP world stage.
What championship does Cormac Buchanan race in?
Buchanan races in the Moto3 World Championship, the entry-level class of the MotoGP World Championship, which features highly competitive junior riders from around the globe.
Which team does Cormac Buchanan ride for?
Cormac Buchanan rides for BOE Motorsports, a Spanish-based Moto3 team competing across the full MotoGP calendar.
How did Cormac Buchanan perform in his rookie Moto3 season?
In his rookie season, Buchanan scored 32 championship points, achieved three top-10 finishes, made nine Q2 qualifying appearances and recorded a best result of ninth place at the Sachsenring in Germany.
Did Cormac Buchanan suffer any injuries in 2025?
Yes. A knee injury at Brno midway through the season impacted the second half of his rookie Moto3 campaign, making consistency difficult as he worked to regain full fitness.
What are Cormac Buchanan’s goals for the 2026 Moto3 season?
Buchanan has stated his goal is to consistently battle in the front group, build on his rookie-year performance and raise his overall level so that his best rides from 2025 become the baseline in 2026.
Why is Cormac Buchanan important for New Zealand motorsport?
Cormac Buchanan represents New Zealand on the MotoGP world stage, continuing the country’s presence in international road racing and inspiring the next generation of Kiwi riders.
When does the 2026 Moto3 season start?
The Moto3 season begins in late February, with the opening round scheduled to take place in Thailand following pre-season testing in Portugal and Spain.
Which tracks is Cormac Buchanan most looking forward to in 2026?
Buchanan has highlighted Brno as a circuit where he has unfinished business, along with Germany’s Sachsenring, where he recorded his best Moto3 result to date.
