Kelso Clinches Historic Pole Position at Phillip Island Race Track
Joel Kelso achieved a remarkable milestone at the Phillip Island Race Track by securing the first pole position of his career in the Moto3 category. This achievement makes him the first Australian to claim the pole at this historic venue.
Qualifying Highlights at Phillip Island
Kelso, riding for LEVELUP-MTA, outran a competitive field, including the newly-crowned World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda from Red Bull KTM Ajo. Rueda qualified in second place, followed closely by Luca Lunetta of SIC58 Squadra Corse, who secured the third position.
Championship Context
- Joel Kelso – LEVELUP-MTA: Pole position
- Jose Antonio Rueda – Red Bull KTM Ajo: Second place
- Luca Lunetta – SIC58 Squadra Corse: Third place
- Angel Piqueras – FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI: 14th place
Angel Piqueras, who is second in the championship standings, struggled during the qualifying session and ended up in 14th place. Meanwhile, Matteo Bertelle from LEVELUP-MTA demonstrated his skill by advancing from Q1 to Q2 with a significant margin, clocking in at over a quarter of a second faster than his nearest rival, Nicola Carraro from Rivacold Snipers Team.
Record-Breaking Performances
Rueda set a new lap record at the outset of the session with a time of 1:34.608, which he later improved to 1:34.440. Kelso, however, responded fiercely, ultimately cutting the time down to 1:34.056 to secure his pole position.
Final Grid Positions
The front row of the grid for the race at Phillip Island is as follows:
| Position | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel Kelso | LEVELUP-MTA |
| 2 | Jose Antonio Rueda | Red Bull KTM Ajo |
| 3 | Luca Lunetta | SIC58 Squadra Corse |
Other noteworthy performances included Bertelle in fifth place and Alvaro Carpe from Red Bull KTM Ajo, who improved his time to secure a solid position on the grid. Despite a late crash for Guido Pini, all riders remained safe.
With the excitement building, the Moto3 race at Phillip Island promises to be a thrilling event, showcasing emerging talents and seasoned competitors alike.
