Joel Kelso finished France Grand Prix in second after final corner debacle

In a heartbreaking twist at the Le Mans Grand Prix overnight, Australia was cruelly robbed of its first Moto3 victory since Jack Miller.

LEVEL UP – MTA team's Australian Moto3 rider Joel Kelso number 66 Joel Kelso leading the pack at the 2025 Le Mans. Picture: Loic Venance / AFP

Australia was robbed of its first Moto3 victor since Jack Miller over night.

Darwin’s Moto3 star Joel Kelso was robbed of his maiden victory overnight in the Le Mans Grand Prix.

In a purple patch of form, riding for his new team Level Up MTA, the 21 year-old got off to a flyer.

After putting up the fastest ever lap in Moto3 during Practice the day before, Kelso started third on the grid.

It took less than halfway around lap one before he took the lead.

Kelso relinquished the lead for two corners during the ensuing 19 laps, commanding the field with some stellar riding, earning praise from those in the commentary booth.

On track for his first ever Grand Prix victory, Kelso’s fortunes came crashing down until literally into the final turn of the last lap.

Le Mans 2025 Moto3 Winner Red Bull KTM Tech3 team’s Jose Antonio Rueda (C), celebrates on the podium flanked by third placed Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP team’s David Munoz (R), and second placed LEVEL UP – MTA team’s Joel Kelso – May 11, 2025. Picture: Loic Venance / AFP

Kelso was ran into by Spanish rider David Munoz who recklessly dived inside Kelso, knocking his off kilter, allowing championship leader and eventual winner Jose Antonio to slip on through for his fourth victory in six races.

Crossing the line third, it was deemed by the stands that Munoz’s actions were in fact reckless, allowing Kelso to be elevated to second place.

During his post race interview, Kelso chose to remain tight lipped about the ordeal.

“Mate, I have no words about what happened at the last corner,” Kelso said.

“Let’s not speak about that, let’s s[peak about the positive that we did a perfect race.

“I’m just really happy that we’re really strong, no matter what happens in any situation.

“I’m just going to look at the positive … I don’t have anything else to say about the last corner.”

The podium is Kelso’s first back-to-back, putting him at two seconds and a third for the season and 77 points overall for third in the championship standings.