Joel Kelso earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Phillip Island, in Australia. Riding his LevelUp MTA KTM on Pirelli control tires, the home hero turned a lap time of 1:34.056. Not only was that good enough to lead the 26-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse David Almansa’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record of 1:34.726 he set Friday afternoon during the practice session.

Jose Antonio Rueda was the best of the rest with a 1:34.147 on his Red Bull Ajo KTM, and Collin Veijer claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:34.281 on his SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda.

Row-two qualifiers included Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato (1:34.406) Kelso’s teammate, Matteo Bertelle (1:34.447) and Rueda’s teammate, Alvaro Carpe (1:34.492).

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Kelso takes historic home pole at Phillip Island. The first Australian in Moto3 history to head the grid on ‘The Island’, the #66 hopes a maiden victory can follow on from a first pole of 2025.

A first pole of the season and what a place to do it; Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) was unstoppable, becoming the first Australian to take pole in Moto3 at Phillip Island. Behind him, newly-crowned World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Mandalika podium finisher Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) whilst the rider second in the Championship, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) was only 14^th.

Moving through from Q1 into Q2, Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) had over a quarter of a second advantage ahead of Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team), Marco Morelli (GRYD – MLav Racing) and New Zealander Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI – BOE Motorsport. Debutant Brian Uriarte (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) missed out by just 0.111s. With a new lap record straight out of the blocks, Rueda set a 1’34.608 but went on to beat it further on his second lap, setting a 1’34.440, just ahead of Kelso and super-sub Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team).

As the second run began with just over six minutes to go, it was time for big improvements from the likes of Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Friday’s fastest David Almansa (Leopard Racing), who found themselves on the fifth row provisionally. Second in the Championship, Piqueras also needed a lap, with the #36’s first attempt only good enough for 18^th. Rueda improved again but the #66 of Kelso was likewise flying, moving the goal posts to set a 1’34.056. There was a late fall for Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) at Turn 4 but he was OK.

Nobody could touch Kelso though who took his fifth consecutive front row and first pole of the season. Rueda lines up second on the grid whilst the front row is completed by Lunetta who denied Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) with a late lap. Bertelle took fifth place whilst the second row is completed by Carpe – who managed to improve his position late on, unlike compatriot Almansa, who starts 18^th. Other names to keep an eye on include Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in P9, home-hero Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) in 13^th and Piqueras in 14^th.

Check out full Moto3 qualifying results from Phillip Island HERE