Beginning his career as a flat track racer in his homeland of Australia, Joel Kelso switched over to tarmac racing to compete in his national championships, and eventually took the Moto3™ title. Rather than working his way up through the classes, Kelso took the plunge and moved to Italy, to compete in the Italian CIV pre-Moto3™ series and he instantly made a name for himself as scored consistent podium finishes. His impressive form and appetite for success saw him signed up to the FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior Championship for 2020, where he scored some top 10 finishes, but it was 2021 where he made his breakthrough onto the world stage. Claiming three victories in his sophomore season in the FIM CEV Championships, CIP Green Power offered him the chance to wildcard on the World Championship stage and Kelso debuted at the Sachsenring, while further wildcard appearances in Assen, Portimao and Valencia convinced the French side to make him a permanent rider for 2022. Kelso earned plenty of plaudits in his rookie year, with a P8 at his home GP at Phillip Island his best result. For 2023, he moved to CFMoto Pruestel GP, despite the campaign not turning out to be particularly remarkable for the #66, he did manage to clinch his first podium in a Grand Prix, much to the delight of his home crowd at Phillip Island. Moving into 2024, he will be donning the colours of the BOE Motorsports team.
Rider Stats
Videos
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Moto3™ recap: Holgado takes Friday honours in Valencia
Deniz Öncü and Joel Kelso joined the Spaniard in the top three after Day 1 in Spain
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LAST LAP: Öncü and Sasaki go wheel-to-wheel for victory
The Australian GP played host to a lightweight class thriller in the wet conditions, which saw victory decided very late on
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Oncu, Sasaki and Joel Kelso
Hear from the podium finishers following a dramatic conclusion to the lightweight class race at the Australian GP
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Moto3™ recap: Stylish Sasaki secures fifth pole of the season
The Japanese claims pole in Phillip Island for the second year in a row, with Kelso and Nepa joining him on the front row
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M. Marquez leads a 400 strong Aussie army to Phillip Island!
Pedro Acosta and Joel Kelso also joined the festivities, which culminated in a lap of the iconic circuit to help kick off the 2023 Australian GP
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Moto3™ recap: Sasaki, Rueda, Kelso
Hear the thoughts of the lightweight class front row at the Portuguese GP after qualifying
Rider Bio
Bike
KTM
Date of birth
12/06/2003
Place of birth
Nambour QLD, Australia
Height
163 cm
Weight
59 kg
Rider Story
News
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Kelso cements maiden pole after late stunner in Thailand
The Australian has qualified pole position at the Thai GP and will start alongside Veijer and Piqueras after an intense Saturday
By motogp.com -
Australia's Joel Kelso joins CIP Green Power for 2022
The 2021 FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior World Championship race winner will line up alongside Toba next season
By motogp.com
Videos
-
Moto3™ recap: Holgado takes Friday honours in Valencia
Deniz Öncü and Joel Kelso joined the Spaniard in the top three after Day 1 in Spain
-
LAST LAP: Öncü and Sasaki go wheel-to-wheel for victory
The Australian GP played host to a lightweight class thriller in the wet conditions, which saw victory decided very late on
-
Moto3™ rostrum round up: Oncu, Sasaki and Joel Kelso
Hear from the podium finishers following a dramatic conclusion to the lightweight class race at the Australian GP
-
Moto3™ recap: Stylish Sasaki secures fifth pole of the season
The Japanese claims pole in Phillip Island for the second year in a row, with Kelso and Nepa joining him on the front row
-
M. Marquez leads a 400 strong Aussie army to Phillip Island!
Pedro Acosta and Joel Kelso also joined the festivities, which culminated in a lap of the iconic circuit to help kick off the 2023 Australian GP
-
Moto3™ recap: Sasaki, Rueda, Kelso
Hear the thoughts of the lightweight class front row at the Portuguese GP after qualifying