Image: Supplied.

Australian Jacob Roulstone has continued to improve in his rookie Moto3 World Championship campaign, overcoming a long lap penalty at Circuit of the Americas’ third round to score his best result to date.

The Red Bull GasGas Tech3 rider was handed down a long penalty for riding slowly in the racing line during qualifying, where he ultimately qualified in a career-best sixth.

The teenager avoided the chaos during the opening stages of Sunday’s race, demoting him to P15 on lap one before taking his penalty on lap three, pushing him back to 16th. He then put on a remarkable charge to complete the 14-lap encounter in eighth position, one spot behind compatriot Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports).

“Overall, quite a good result,” Roulstone reflected. “It was probably one of the most chaotic first laps I have ever experienced, but I stayed focused.

“I think I timed the long lap quite well and it was a shame I had to do it. We worked hard all through the weekend and we made a few steps that I’m happy about.”

Roulstone is now positioned 11th in the championship standings as the series heads to Jerez, Spain, on 26-28 April for round four.