SYNETIQ BMW’s Danny Buchan sits fourth in the Bennetts British Superbike standings as he heads to Donington Park this weekend.

His confident form comes off the back of four rostrum visits in as many rounds, leaving Buchan equal to McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie on Podium Points.

“I am not surprised with where we are at currently because the first time I jumped on the new bike I knew it was going to be good from the very start,” a positive Buchan said ahead the Derby weekend.

“The results we have had so far this season have backed that up - coming from the double at Knockhill and three fourth-places at Brands Hatch - but to be back on the podium at Thruxton was amazing,” he continued.

“When you sign for a new team, you always expect it to take a few races to get yourself acclimatised and bedded in, so I didn’t really have any expectations on the opening rounds.
The biggest thing so far this season is that we have been consistently up the front and we are in the title fight in only my fourth round with the SYNETIQ BMW team and the new BMW M 1000 RR.

“The biggest thing from the last round was the podium points for the Showdown, we wanted to top them up. It’s a credit to the team, they have given me a good bike and we will continue to work hard to try and keep improving.

“The tracks coming up are ones I am looking forward to massively too,” Buchan said eagerly.

“I was a little bit unlucky at the Donington Park test earlier in the year,” he admitted.

“I didn’t really get many laps, so we might have to play a little bit of catch up at the start of the weekend, but I am not too fussed. The weather could change, but wet or dry we seem to have been fast so far.

“We have been competitive with the new BMW M 1000 RR everywhere so far and the biggest test was from Knockhill to Brands Hatch. We have seen from our results - and Hicky too has been on the podium - so it shows how aggressive BMW are being in the way they want to succeed in the championship and it is great to be a part of that.”

Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran has been the man to watch so far in 2021, with the Australian sitting 70 points clear at the top of the table but with four rounds before the Showdown, the Essex rider reminds calm and focussed on his overall goal.

“When you are in a championship fight you have to think of the longer game too,” he explained.

“I know when it comes to the Showdown we wouldn’t be too far away with the podium points - he has a buffer at the moment but anything can happen. Motorbike racing is crazy and we are pushing every lap of every session, so we just need to be consistent and take as many points as we can to be in that title fight.

“I am confident we can be quick again this weekend. We know we can fight and that is a massive confidence booster for any rider, when you have that confidence, that is when the results come. The team is doing a fantastic job and we just need to keep bringing the results home again this weekend!”