Kelso just short of dream home win

Australia’s Joel Kelso has returned to the Moto3 podium in grand style in Phillip Island after fighting hard for victory.

Starting from pole, Kelso took the fight to Moto3 champion Jose Antonio Rueda and produced a nail-biting race-long duel.

The home hero led the first five laps, but eventually had to settle for a close second as the champion prevailed by 0.829s.

Kelso also stood on the Phillip Island podium in 2023 in abysmal conditions.

“I tried my absolute best and squeezed everything I could,” Kelso said.

“I was saving the tyre as much as possible and I went for it.

“But he was too good.l  F*****g hell. His last lap was a 1:35.6 or something like that, and I did not have anything like that.

“I tried to pull it through for the Aussie crowd, but the best we could do was second.

“Cool to see all the Aussie flags and time to enjoy Sunday night.”

Kelso led from pole and built a solid three-tenth advantage over Rueda, who was the only driver within a second after two laps.

Jacob Roulstone was also a man on a mission riding for hid future, flying up to fourth and joining a wild four-bike battle for the minors.

Sadly, his promising ride was over by Lap 4 after a heartbreaking crash at Siberia.

After five laps of running in his slipstream, Rueda pulled out and breezed by down Gardner Straight.

Despite losing the lead, Kelso settled into second and hitched himself to the champion’s back wheel.

With 4s up his sleeve behind an eight-bike battle for third, he appeared safe.

The home hero had dropped a few tenths adrift, but he put himself back into a position to attack for the final five laps.

By Lap 16 he was within a tenth again and started increasing the pressure.

He thought about a couple of looks, but was not quite close enough to go on the attack.

Kelso had to settle for a strong second, while Alvaro Carpe won the thrilling fight to join them on the podium as seven bikes were covered by less than 2s.

Moto2 is up next, where Senna Agius is another big shot at a home podium.

Image: Supplied

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