Kelso keen to fly on home soil
Jack Miller may be the only Aussie in the premier MotoGP class, but there will be another hometown hero in Moto3 in Joel Kelso.
Kelso, 20, is trying to make a name for himself in his second full season of Moto3 for CFMoto Racing Prustel GP.
The Darwin born rider is currently 22nd in the championship in a campaign where things have not completely gone his way despite showing strong one-lap pace.
It started on a high by qualifying third and finishing in a solid ninth place in the opening round at Portugal.
But the joy was short lived as he missed the next two races due to a broken leg sustained from a “freak accident” after the chequered flag fell in Portimao.
After returning at Jerez, Kelso has also picked up points at France, Netherlands and Japan with ninth his best finish.
Joel Kelso celebrates qualifying third with his team at Catalunya. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images
Qualifying has been his major strength with strong performances at Mugello, Assen and Catalunya where he was among the fastest three riders.
Kelso will be chasing points on home turf after falling just four tenths short of the top 15 in Indonesia.
It was still a solid effort given Kelso revealed post race he was far from 100 percent under the helmet and is hoping to enjoy a much smoother ride in front of his home fans.
“We were doing really well and feeling strong in those first ten laps (in Indonesia),” he said post race.
“I then started feeling super unwell and it started affecting me quite a bit so I was only able to hold onto P16.
“But we have got the big one next, Phillip Island so I’m not going to let this one get to me mentally and I will keep pushing forward!”
Kelso would be thrilled if he can reproduce his previous Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix performance of eighth place last year, which is the best finish of his career.
Channel 10 expert Chris Vermeulen revealed Kelso has taken the tough route to Moto3.
Joel Kelso leads a train of bikes during the Catalunya Moto3 race. Photo by Gold and Goose/ LAT Images
“I really like Joel, he is such a great young fella,” Vermeulen told AUTO ACTION.
“It is not easy trying to raise money yourself just to compete in this championship which is a bugbear of mine.
“I don’t like that if you are at world championship level and good enough to be there, you are paying for these rides but that is the way it is.
“He has got the speed and shown it in the past but he has had some really bad luck and a couple of big crashes of his own, so then the confidence does not keep going.
“It seems like when it starts to build up he has some really good races.
“Last weekend he was riding (Ayumu) Sasaki and the championship leaders and proved he can race and beat them.
“He definitely deserves to be there.”
In is shaping up to be a tense fight for the Moto3 title with three riders separated by just 17 points.
Pedro Acosta celebrates another Moto2 win in style at the Sachsenring in Germany. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images
Honda rider Jaume Masia has the lead with 209 points, 16 ahead of the consistent Sasaki, who is yet to win a race.
The Japanese Husqvarna rider is one point ahead of Daniel Holgado.
Kelso is 22nd, but well within striking distance of the top 20.
The Moto2 title is effectively a formality with KTM young gun Pedro Acosta 55 points clear of Tony Arbolino.
Acosta has been the rider to catch from the start of the season, recording seven wins, five more than his nearest rivals.
The 19-year-old Spaniard, who also won the 2021 Moto3 title will step up to the premier class next year, replacing Pol Espargaro at Tech3 Gas Gas.
MotoGP returns to free-to-air TV with Channel 10 broadcasting the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend.
Saturday’s coverage begins at 13.00 AEDT while Sunday’s telecast commences at 12.00 AEDT.
2023 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix Moto3 schedule
Friday, October 20
Practice 1 09.00-09.35
Practice 2 13.15-13.50
Saturday, October 21
Practice 3 08.40-09.10
Qualifying 12.50-13.30
Sunday, October 22
Grand Prix 11.00-11.35
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