Image: Supplied.

Home-hero Joel Kelso scored his first-ever Moto3 World Championship podium in the tricky wet conditions at Phillip Island, marking a ‘bloody brilliant’ result in Australia.

From second on the grid, Kelso made a strong start and remained in contention throughout much of the bout, looking smooth and ultimately breaking away in the lead group which was down to himself, Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and race-winner Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Tech3) in the final quarter of the race.

A mistake into turn 10 saw Kelso slightly lose touch with the leaders, but the number 66 held his nerve to ride on to a well-deserved and popular home podium result, capping off a memorable weekend that also saw him confirm his Moto3 World Championship future with the BOE Motorsports team for next year.

“It’s bloody brilliant mate, honestly over the moon,” said Kelso. “Tricky conditions, and I thought we are just going to have to go for it. I thought we were on for a win, but I made a little mistake and I thought let’s just put it in the bag and get it home safely.”

Following the success in Australia, Kelso’s next outing comes next weekend at Buriam, Thailand, for the 17th round of the Moto3 World Championship.