Early-race spill KO's Kelso in India
Monday, 25 September 2023
Joel Kelso was declared fit after a nasty high-side on just the second lap of the Indian Grand Prix, his Moto3™ points-scoring drought extending to five races with a painful DNF.
Joel Kelso's maiden visit to India has been brief and bruising, the Australian Moto3™ rider crashing out on just the second lap of Sunday's 16-lap lightweight Indian Grand Prix after a huge high-side while in the mix for world championship points.
The CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP rider qualified 15th on Saturday, ending the three practice sessions in 11th place and advancing directly to Q2, but admitted he struggled to get to grips with a Buddh International Circuit layout that was soaked by a downpour between Moto3™ Q1 and Q2, ending up on the fifth row of the grid.
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Kelso had dropped three places from his starting position on lap one when he had a massive high-side at Turn 3, the slowest corner on the track, on the next tour. A dazed Kelso was able to avoid being hit by any riders in the trailing pack, and was taken to the circuit's medical centre before being declared fit.
"Right after the start I lost a few positions, but I was able to gain four positions again on the first lap," Kelso said.
"I made contact a lap or so in, and tried to open the gas not to lose any more time and ended up high siding. I'm OK – looking at the positives I'm definitely riding with a bit more aggression, so some steps were made.
"It was unfortunate, I was really enjoying the circuit."
The 20-year-old will be back in action at next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.
Joel's Indian Grand Prix by the numbers
Qualified: 16th (started 15th after Oncu/KTM penalty for ignoring black flag)
Race (16 laps): DNF (crash, lap 2)
Fastest lap: N/A
Points this event: 0
Points this season: 19 (21st in world championship)
