“I was happy in some respects with my run because finishing second places me in a good qualifying position, but unfortunately I made three major mistakes so I can’t help but think of what might have been.
“Overall the track is amazing and so is the facility, I love this race.”
Also in action was compatriot Anthony Dean, whose causal time trial demeanour was again on display, earning him 14th position, while Bodi Turner finished in 12th. In the elite women, Buchanan produced a solid time to momentarily occupy the hot seat, however she was again unseated by current time trial world champion Mariana Pajon for the second world cup in a row, besting Buchanan’s time by .265 seconds.
Lauren Reynolds also had a shot at posting the best time, however didn’t produce when it mattered to finish in seventh.
Earlier in the day, as the heavens opened and the rain fell, 14 Aussies braved the trying conditions in an attempt to navigate their way through the hazardous qualification rounds.
In the elite women, Melinda McLeod looked particularly impressive, registering a first and a second on her way to qualifying 6th ahead of compatriots Leanna Curtis (13th), Kirsten Dellar (21st) and Rachel Jones (23rd). Unfortunately, Harriet Burbidge-Smith (32nd) failed to progress.
For McLeod, a two week break in Florida after the Argentinian round was just what the doctor ordered as she looks to finish the season on a high at the magnificent facility.
“It’s a fantastic facility, the track is amazing and it’s holding up really well in the rain, I wish we had more like it back home,” McLeod said.
“I’ve been staying with a friend in Florida since Argentina which has been great, I’ve really rediscovered my love for riding in the last two weeks.”
In elite men’s qualifying, Matthew Juster faired the best of the Aussies after three motos, finishing in 9th ahead of Josh Callan (33rd), Brandon Te Hiko (40th) and Tom Siinmaa (43rd). While reigning national champion Corey Frieswyk recovered from a shaky start to qualify in 45th.
Unfortunately, Tristyn Kronk (56th), Andrew Hughes (64th), Josh McLean (80th) and David Habicht (88th) failed to qualify.
The riders now turn their attention to tomorrow’s racing, where the fifth and final round will be decided and series champions crowned.