Joel Kelso claimed second in the Moto3 race at Phillip Island. Image: Russell Colvin
Kelso and Rueda set a blistering pace in the 21-lapper to establish an enormous lead over the rest of the field.
So dominant were the pair that the gap from them to third-placed Alvaro Carpe totalled more than 12 seconds by the chequered flag.
It’s the second time Kelso has stood on the podium at Phillip Island after his breakthrough third place finish in 2023.
It’s also the fifth podium in Moto3 and fourth this season for the LevelUp-mta rider.
The Darwin-born racer led the first lap but spent the lion’s share of the contest trailing Rueda, who controlled the pace.
Kelso threatened to usurp the Spaniard in the closing laps before Rueda really stamped his authority on the race to take victory by 0.829s.
Post-race, Kelso conceded he couldn’t match Rueda’s tyre-saving ability.
“I tried my absolute best,” said Kelso.
“I squeezed everything I could out of it. I was saving the tyre as much as possible. As soon as Rueda wanted to go out in front, I said go for it, mate. I’m going to try save the tyre.
“But he’s too good. Fucking hell. I can’t do [anything]. He’s saving the tyre. He’s so good at it. The last lap he did a [one minute, thirty] five-seven or something, five-six.
“I didn’t have anything. I tried to pull through for the Aussie crowd but the best we could do was second.”
Kelso’s childhood connection with Supercars star Feeney
Australia’s other interest, Jacob Roulstone, was an early exit. The Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider crashed on Lap 4 while vying for a podium finish.
Roulstone surged from 13th in the opening laps to be as high as fourth before his off.
New Zealand’s only rider, Cormac Buchanan, was 11th for Denssi Racing Boe.
Moto3 continues at Sepang in Malaysia on October 24-26.
Results: Moto3 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Phillip Island
Pos
Num
Rider
Team
Bike
Laps/Diff
1
99
Jose Antonio Rueda
Red Bull KTM Ajo
KTM
21 laps
2
66
Joel Kelso
LEVELUP-MTA
KTM
0.829
3
83
Alvaro Carpe
Red Bull KTM Ajo
KTM
12.638
4
78
Joel Esteban
CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
KTM
12.696
5
28
Maximo Quiles
CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
KTM
12.773
6
31
Adrian Fernandez
Leopard Racing
Honda
13.251
7
58
Luca Lunetta
SIC58 Squadra Corse
Honda
13.753
8
72
Taiyo Furusato
Honda Team Asia
Honda
13.921
9
22
David Almansa
Leopard Racing
Honda
13.979
10
18
Matteo Bertelle
LEVELUP-MTA
KTM
15.294
11
14
Cormac Buchanan
DENSSI Racing – BOE
KTM
25.42
12
94
Guido Pini
LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP
KTM
25.716
13
10
Nicola Carraro
Rivacold Snipers Team
Honda
25.755
14
19
Scott Ogden
CIP Green Power
KTM
25.803
15
82
Stefano Nepa
SIC58 Squadra Corse
Honda
25.917
16
8
Eddie O’Shea
GRYD – Mlav Racing
Honda
26.047
17
36
Angel Piqueras
FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI
KTM
30.653
18
95
Marco Morelli
GRYD – Mlav Racing
Honda
33.455
19
51
Brian Uriarte
LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP
KTM
33.823
20
73
Valentin Perrone
Red Bull KTM Tech3
KTM
33.921
21
21
Ruche Moodley
DENSSI Racing – BOE
KTM
45.096
22
6
Ryusei Yamanaka
FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI
KTM
45.512
23
55
Noah Dettwiler
CIP Green Power
KTM
45.957
24
5
Tatchakorn Buasri
Honda Team Asia
Honda
46.101
25
54
Riccardo Rossi
Rivacold Snipers Team
Honda
66.778
DNF
12
Jacob Roulstone
Red Bull KTM Tech3
KTM
Lap 4