Qatar GP – Moto GP 3 – Desert Denssi
The Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail brought the first night race of the season, and the Denssi BOÉ Motorsports team was eager to keep their momentum rolling. Under the desert floodlights, both riders worked through practice on the unique schedule (sessions ending in the evening) to adapt to track conditions. Qualifying saw mixed fortunes: Cormac Buchanan made it into Q2 once again, ultimately securing 16th on the grid. Ruché Moodley fought hard in Q1, narrowly missing out on advancing; he would start 20th in the dusky Sunday race. The team was optimistic for the race, with a clear goal of getting both riders back in the points.
On race night, Moodley rose to the occasion. He got a steady start and gradually picked up pace as the race progressed. Ruché carved his way up to 13th place by the finish, scoring more championship points. It marked his third points finish in the first four rounds, an impressive tally for a rookie. Moodley’s race was all about consistency – he avoided the drama around him (including a late technical problem for a frontrunner) and kept pushing, even setting some of his fastest laps near the end. “Being the sole South African in Moto3, I’m proud to keep scoring points under the lights,” he shared enthusiastically in the team debrief. His result in Qatar showed his adaptability and mental focus, as he handled the unique challenge of a night race in high temperatures with maturity.
For Cormac Buchanan, the Qatar GP proved more challenging. After a promising start, his race ended prematurely when he slid out at the tricky Turn 5 mid-race, with sparks flying as bike and rider tumbled into the runoff. Thankfully Cormac was unhurt and even tried to remount, but the damage was done. It was a tough break – Buchanan suffered what he called a “familiar fall” at a corner that caught him out previously in practice. His first DNF of the season was a disappointment given his pace, but the youngster remained upbeat, noting that every rider faces some setbacks: “We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.” Indeed, his pace prior to the fall suggested he could have contended for points alongside his teammate. The team took heart that there was no lack of speed; only a bit of bad luck and inexperience at fault.
Moodley’s points-scoring ride was the clear highlight under the Lusail lights. He demonstrated race savvy by managing a “slow and steady start” then picking up the pace to clinch 13th. His consistency solidified his status as a points regular early in the season. On the flip side, Buchanan’s crash was a pivotal moment – until then he was running competitively. The fact that the team had one rider bring it home in the top fifteen softened the blow of the DNF. Additionally, the dramatic photo-finish for the win (decided by 0.009s) and a rare mechanical failure for a championship leader made this race memorable in Moto3; for Denssi BOÉ, it was a reminder of how unpredictable racing can be.
Even with mixed results, the Denssi brand was well-served in Qatar. Moodley’s bike, carrying Denssi’s livery, was frequently visible in the world feed as he battled in a tight midfield group and ultimately prevailed for 13th. His consistent performance reflects positively on Denssi’s investment – showing that the sponsor supports riders who bring home results even in tough conditions. Buchanan’s fall, while unfortunate, was handled gracefully by the team, who thanked Denssi and other partners for standing by them “through ups and downs.” On social media, Denssi highlighted Moodley’s point-scoring finish with pride, emphasizing how their partnership continues to nurture emerging talent. In sum, the Qatar GP reinforced that Denssi is allied with a team that fights hard and celebrates every achievement, aligning the brand with perseverance and teamwork.
