Image: Supplied.

Joel Kelso was forced to watch the Le Mans Moto3 World Championship race from the sidelines, the injury sustained in a warm-up collision at Jerez leaving him unable to complete multiple laps.

Despite lingering effects from being taken out at round six, Kelso managed to qualify a solid P11 in France, but made the decision before Sunday’s race to withdraw from the event.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to take part in the French GP, the home GP of the team,” Kelso explained. “It’s really unfortunate as yesterday we felt very strong, but due to my injury from Jerez, I am unable to do more than three or four laps in a row.

“I feel I made the best decision to try and recover 100% for Mugello. So now we work until we arrive in Mugello.”

The Australian has shown plenty of potential in his rookie Moto3 World Championship campaign, his qualifying efforts under the circumstances in France another example.

Kelso sits 17th in standings as the series heads to Mugello on 27-29 May, his current best result of the season coming at Portimao where he finished ninth.