Young sports star mixes with the best

Most teenagers can only dream about what Cormac Buchanan has experienced in Europe and the UK this year.

The motorcycle racer arrived home to Invercargill on Monday night after being overseas for seven months competing against the world’s best young riders.

‘‘It was an amazing experience ... going to different countries, exploring them and racing on different tracks,’’ Cormac, 15, said.

Cormac, who had the company of his father, Stacey Buchanan, travelled through nine countries and rode on 13 tracks.

He was unplaced overall in standings in both the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Europe and the British Talent Cup in the UK. However, he has come home with a wealth of knowledge to help him prepare for next year’s Rookies Cup. He received the invitation to the 2022 Rookies Cup in September.

During this year’s Rookies Cup, officials told riders that if one of them contracted Covid-19, the series would finish immediately. Face masks and social distancing were compulsory for competitors and pit crews at the European tracks.

‘‘For the last few rounds of the UK series we didn’t have to wear face masks,’’ Cormac said.

‘‘Coming off a half-hour session in 30-degree weather and having to put a face mask straight on was one thing I hated the most.’’

Cormac and his father Stacey travelled in Europe and the UK in a motorhome.

‘‘For me, it was quite stressful because I was navigator [in the motorhome],’’ Cormac said.

‘‘I was reading Google Maps, and had to make sure every turn was correct.’’

However, during a late night drive, while heading to France, the Buchanans made a wrong turn in Belgium. They had driven 100 kilometres into the Netherlands before realising.

Gaining a second and two thirds in rounds of the British Talent Cup were memorable for Cormac. He labelled the second as a highlight, along with being placed 16th in a round of the Rookies Cup in Germany.

‘‘It was one of the best races I had ridden,’’ Cormac said of the German race.

‘‘The coaches came up to me and said they were impressed with how I rode.’’

The scariest moment for him was when he crashed and fractured a wrist in practice in Austria. The people who took Cormac by stretcher to an ambulance didn’t speak English.

‘‘At the medical centre I was taken to they did speak English, and then I saw Dad ... what a relief it was to see him.

‘‘When it’s just you and your dad on the other side of the world,

‘‘It was one of the best races I had ridden.’’ Cormac Buchanan

not knowing anyone, it can be scary.’’

Stacey said the overseas trip was great to be part of.

‘‘It was pretty cool being there and experiencing this dream with Cormac.’’

Kate Buchanan was delighted to see her husband and son arrive at Invercargill airport on Monday night.

‘‘It’s very, very good to have them home,’’ she said.

‘‘Even this morning it was really neat having them in the house ... and Stacey’s gone out and fixed the car already.’’

Cormac will be racing in a round of the Southland Cup at Teretonga on Sunday.