A frustrating crash in the opening stages of Sunday’s Moto3 World Championship race blemished an otherwise excellent weekend on the track for the Kiwi battler.
The Southland teenager was one of a staggering 14 crashes within the 26-strong field, testimony to the tricky wet conditions.
“I knew I was quick in the wet. I knew it was a really big opportunity to be on the podium,’’ Buchanan said.
‘‘My initial focus was just to get through the first lap, but in corner seven a rider checked up so I touched the throttle to avoid a collision and in doing so I lost the rear and it spat me off.
“It certainly isn’t what I wanted and it feels like a missed opportunity for sure, but those things you can’t focus on. We had a really clean weekend, no mistakes, improved every session, rode really fast alone, and secured a place in Q2.
“My pace was super consistent, every lap within one or two tenths of a second of my best, which would have bode well in a dry race. So, the positives definitely outweigh that one moment.
“We can’t dwell on this as it’s race week again immediately.’’
Buchanan, who had nearly fully recovered from a crash during the Brazil leg, said his goal now was to carry the momentum into next Sunday’s race in Barcelona.
Buchanan was solid from the outset at the historic Bugatti Circuit, finishing every session less than a second from the fastest time set in the highly-competitive field.
“In qualifying I knew I could trust my instincts and go it alone. I managed one of my best laps of the season to secure a place in Q2. I hadn’t felt that good on the bike since the crash in Brazil, so it was really special to feel like that – like I was getting back to where I was, which makes me feel really happy.
“My best sectors (in Q2) were not all together, so that cost me a top 10 spot on the grid, but we were satisfied with P15 as it was another step forward.”
In the main event, Jorge Martin charged from seventh on the grid to victory, claiming his first MotoGP victory in 588 days while moving within striking distance of his Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi in the championship battle.
The Spaniard, who endured a forgettable 2025 season plagued by crashes and injuries, overtook race leader Bezzecchi with three laps remaining to secure his first win since capturing the 2024 title.
``It's unbelievable. I still can't say it enough times, because I'm so, so, grateful to all the fans,'' an emotional Martin said.
``But for sure I have to remember my family, my team, my girlfriend, my dog — all the people that were with me all this time. I don't have words.’’
The victory moved Martin to within one point of championship leader Bezzecchi.
Ai Ogura completed the podium in third for Aprilia's satellite team Trackhouse, giving the Italian manufacturer its first-ever podium sweep, while he became the first Japanese rider on the podium in 14 years.
Ducati had another day to forget with reigning champion Marc Marquez missing the race after fracturing his foot in Saturday's sprint crash, while team-mate and polesitter Francesco Bagnaia crashed in second place. — Allied Media/Reuters
