Ten wins in a single season — that’s the mark of a true champion. Reigning World Champion José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) added yet another victory to his dazzling 2025 campaign after fending off a determined challenge from Australia’s own Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) in a tense showdown at Phillip Island. The pair were simply untouchable, finishing a massive 12 seconds ahead of the rest, with Álvaro Carpe claiming the final podium place to cap off a perfect day for Red Bull KTM Ajo, who also sealed the Teams’ Championship with both riders on the rostrum.
The race began with local hero Kelso launching a perfect counterattack at Turn 2, diving up the inside of polesitter Rueda to lead his home Grand Prix from the very first lap. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) made a strong early impression too, working his way into third by Lap 2, as Kelso and Rueda began to edge away from the chasing pack. By the end of that lap, the leading duo already held a one-second cushion — and the tone was set.
Australia had double reason to cheer early on when Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) briefly joined the top four, even clocking the fastest lap of the race. But heartbreak struck on Lap 4, when he lost the front at Turn 6 and slid out of contention. His crash left Kelso and Rueda 2.4 seconds clear at the front, while behind them Ángel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) suffered a huge scare — a near high-side at the final corner sent him skating through the gravel and across the grass. Miraculously, he stayed upright, but the incident dropped him from second in the standings down to P24, all but ending his podium hopes.
By Lap 7, Rueda decided it was time to make his move. The Spaniard swept past Kelso to take the lead for the first time, and from there, the front two began pulling away at a staggering rate — first 3.8 seconds clear, then 5.6, then over 7 seconds. The pair were in a league of their own, with Kelso glued to the back of Rueda’s KTM but never quite close enough to pounce.
Meanwhile, the battle for third was fierce. Quiles, Carpe, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), Adrián Fernández (Leopard Racing), Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), and David Almansa (Leopard Racing) — who had earlier served a Long Lap penalty — were locked in a frantic scrap for the final podium position. Every corner brought a change in order, with Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) just off their tail, hoping to capitalise on any mistakes.
With five laps remaining, Rueda began to edge away slightly, opening a gap of a few tenths. But Kelso refused to give in. The Aussie crowd roared as he clawed those tenths right back the next time around, keeping the fight alive as the final lap began. The gap across the line was 0.4 seconds — the largest it had been all race. One lap to go, one last chance for the home favourite to strike.
But Rueda is the World Champion for a reason. The Spaniard didn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon, executing a flawless race from lights to flag after reclaiming the lead. Kelso gave it everything, staying within striking distance to the very end, but the #99 held firm to take a composed and commanding victory — his tenth of the season, and one that showed once again why he’s the rider to beat.
Behind them, Álvaro Carpe held his nerve in the closing laps to win the battle for third, edging out Esteban and Quiles on the final lap. Esteban’s fourth place marked a career-best Moto3 finish while standing in for the injured Dennis Foggia, while Quiles’ fifth meant his wait to officially claim Rookie of the Year honours continues — though he closed the gap to Piqueras in the overall standings.
Further back, Fernández, Lunetta, Furusato, and Almansa crossed the line almost together in a tight mid-pack sprint, all finishing inside the top nine. Bertelle followed just over a second behind to round out the top ten, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE) returned to points-scoring form with an impressive 11th place finish.
As the Phillip Island crowd cheered their home hero and saluted the World Champion, it was clear that both riders had delivered something special. Rueda once again proved why he wears the crown — consistent, clinical, and relentless — while Kelso gave Australian fans every reason to be proud.
Next stop on the calendar: Malaysia, where the heat and humidity promise another thrilling chapter in Rueda’s dominant 2025 season.
