Joel Kelso: The Dream Doesn’t Stop at Moto3 | MotoGP Pit Talk

0:00Welcome to the pit talk podcast brought to you by Shannon's insurance for your dose of all things F1 and Moto GP Alrighty Joel Kelso welcome back to Fox Sports. How you going? Great. Great. Thanks for having me on Oh, we're so excited. I mean this year's a big year for you. There's been some big changes But we know you're back in Oz right now. We saw you attending the Formula One over the weekend So we won't talk too much four wheels We want to talk about two wheels, but obviously 2026 new year new team new manufacturer. How are you feeling about everything so far? Um Good for sure. It's not been the easiest start for sure. I mean, um, we did Now almost I was looking at the other day. I think like six years on the KTM So that because also we're on it in the junior world championship So now the transition to the Honda is obviously not been super super easy and we're struggling to adapt a little bit

1:00Um, but to be honest going into it we we knew that would be the case so With the team we already discussed Like way ahead of time. We said okay Could potentially take two three rounds before we're we're up fighting where we normally are which is the podium positions um, but At the end we're working the the right way to arrive there. I think um, it's difficult You know, we kind of come from podiums and and always been fighting up the front for the last couple years To now be struggling a little bit and obviously that's a bit hard coming away from the first round But I think this is just a short-term thing. I think um after maybe I think after coda will be a big step Um, just purely because coda will be a little bit difficult for the Honda I believe But other than that then by them we should have the grips and understand the bike a little bit more because also I bring over a lot of new crew to The new team But they've never worked on a Honda as well And that's probably caught us off guard a little bit because we're surprised at how different also the setup is between the kdm and the Honda

2:04So now we're just trying to figure out that I'm trying to figure out the bike which is the strong points because you know Is actually a strong point on that bike and a weak point and then the same vice versa with kdm But I just don't know the maximum how to get out of the the strong point and the weak point of the Honda yet So once I get my head around that, I'll be fine And then I think also when the team understand, you know, what directions we can take to help me in certain areas Will be a massive step as well Because I know you mentioned in your post-race post on social media that you having to adapt to a new riding style How does that work because you guys didn't get a lot of testing time We know that weather really interrupted it So then coming into round one Thailand which we already know you have the heat the tracks like obviously Challenging enough how do you go about then trying to change the whole riding style Yeah, well that was the issue we lost Portimae which is Two days there that would have been crucial to us because testings where you get the most out of it because no one's stressed no one's got pressure on you You know sponsors teams

3:04They're all not they're looking over. I want to what you're doing and and want to weigh you know going fast So the testing you get a lot more out of it But like I said since we're kind of going into the mindset of just let's just get the work done now for the first couple rounds Even if they're a little bit rounds at the result aren't coming um And then it'll pay off in the long run So in the mindset of things how me and the team are working it is working in the direction that We're not really worried about the result right now because we can't be to get to the point where I need to understand how to ride this bike And also the team to be able to to understand the bike so Yeah, I mean, it's not been an easy style for sure Like I said like as in just trying to adapt the rain so it's so difficult and The worst part about all of it is my my pace is actually really decent like as in um in Thailand from lap 10 to the end of the race lap 19 Um We literally with the same speed or doing the same pace or if not faster Well, I think we'll probably add up to be about half a second to a second faster than the guy that finished third

4:08But the problem is the first 10 laps. I was just completely useless just trying to figure it out because also We changed the bikes so much from quote while first going into qualifying turn the bike upside down Then qualifying to the race we turn the bike upside down again because we're just trying to find directions So the first 10 laps not only was I not knowing how to ride the Honda still Then also going into the race the bike was completely different So it was like a mixture of things that just was a nightmare We'll just kept running off track everywhere. I think we went off track like four times in the first 10 laps But I once we got the grips to it. We started out since and light at the end of the tunnel And I think that's the most important part about the pro JSC and light at the end of the tunnel in in every situation Which is happening Now, when are you signed a two-year deal with quotes in there? But two years with MLA for the upcoming seasons What excited you most about going to a new manufacturer? Was it the challenge? First of all, we did a two-year deal on the conditions that I am able to leave to go up to motor two

5:12So to be completely honest in the team and in the team aware of this that my idea is obviously just to one year and step up to motor two still But the two years was just like a thing a condition that we wanted to put because if not we want to continue the project with Honda And the reason behind it for my side of things Well for two reasons was the If I can start to get programs on win on a Honda I'm proving to the motor two teams in the paddock that I can win on any bike Now I've done on KTM you know with Believe four or five podiums in our books now on the KTM if we can get some podiums on the the Honda we're proving that we're we're adaptable to bikes So that's the real reason why I wanted to change over because you know We had an incredible season last year when we wouldn't negotiate and we met a two-teens will third in the championship But it just went a little bit unrecognized So That was the reason we wanted go to the Honda prove that we can win there and then we can say okay We've proven that I can do well on a KTM

6:13We've proven that I can do well on a Honda Now give us an opportunity on the on a motor to so That was the reason behind it and second of all was because The team need to a big restructure and they were putting a lot of financial support into it They really gave me a lot of leeway to make this team great and like I said I bring a lot of new crew over We got a lot of new parts a lot of big projects going on behind the scenes with them that Was so motivating and it's cool to see the team have put the full trust in me Given me a blank page to say you're welcome to whatever you like Bring us to the top Which was a cool project for me So I didn't realize this so okay you'll come in you're kind of like now the number one rider Because we know Eddie's been there your teammate at your shape for a season or two So you've kind of come in and you're trying to help bring everything up Do you like having that pressure of you're getting to lead the way or do you prefer just to Have I guess go out the base settings and head out and race

7:15Now most definitely of course I prefer Get the results straight away and and be in somewhere like I mean I could have went to a kdm squad that was another year on a kdm and be able to fight out the box From the beginning but I do really enjoy this project so far You know just Everything going down to in testing in the preseason in ordering parts Well, let's just say directing them in the ordering parts in the way that I believe that could benefit us Bringing the personnel that I think is is useful in the team and can can really bring up the level of this team And then also not only that the teams in English based teams So it's called to be able to yeah speak fluent English and and have some Aussie slang in there And they still get it and we can joke around so it's a great atmosphere as well And I just think that a project like this will work and that's why I'm really confident that after a couple rounds will be We'll be at the top and not only myself. I believe you know with this new restructure. We can really bring Eddie

8:16Bring in more results to the team as well and and adding points to the to the team standing and I think Wait, you're already showing a tie them was one of his you know good best races, I'd say So already the structure inside the team and and the new personnel and the new parts and all that I've already made that step forward for for himself and obviously for me it's starting from a base. So We'll see where we end up from from here You mentioned earlier about once you get past Koda It seems like you get back to those European circuits and that's where everything kind of settles down again Is there any circuits that you're already going? Okay, I know this is going to play to the Honda's strengths Yeah, for sure definitely a marking off the trucks, but we're trying to get I'm trying to get to the point where I can make the bike strong at all the trucks The same as how I had the KTM Even though with the KTM there are strong points and weak points I managed to find a setup that could work on both points So at the moment, I'm still really focused on just getting the the Honda a good at all tracks But I just believe we need next round in Brazil and and probably still America will start to show some more signs of light but

9:22I think after America's when we make the big step just because That gives us a couple more rounds, you know like last round I can't say but we're doing a lot of things behind the scenes that we should have really been doing at testing But we weren't able to for missing them two days and then Brazil Hopefully we can start to work in the the stage two, which is you know trying to find a base setup for myself That we haven't really done yet. We haven't been able to just okay Joel the bikes, you know all the components inside the bike is is set like this now Let's go forward and start trying to find a base setup So at this moment we're literally just changing the inside of internal of the bike nothing with the with the base setup to be able to find a direction. Let's say um So now I think in Brazil we'll get to that step and then Brazil and America be able to find out base setup and then go forward from there and and then fine tune it Because at the beginning, you know, you make some big steps with the setup Maybe you don't feel comfortable or what you do feel comfortable with and then after that fine tuning and the fine Tuning is when you can get results because it doesn't really matter last little part of the setup is

10:24All just feeling and and it doesn't really hinder the result too much You mentioned Brazil there and I was just thinking it's almost a good opportunity that it's coming in at round two Because it's a blank slate for everybody in in the whole category of Moto 3 right What do you know about the air and center auto drone in Brazil? Because I've been trying to find some research on it and I can't seem to find all that much It's funny. You say that everyone's been asking me. What do you think about Brazil? I said honestly I haven't even seen the track yet. So I haven't even I haven't even researched I haven't even looked so I remember when Mojipit did the post about the track and then that was about it and then I can't find the post anymore So I haven't even seen the track to be honest We'll rock up on on Wednesday and walk the track and we'll see soon see how it is But uh now I look forward to I hear that the Proceeding fans really get behind it And I remember when my targeon team the first time was on a spectacular event Always when you go somewhere new it's it's incredible. I love that sort of environment and I think it's super cool So you haven't like done a lap in a sim or looked at a track you were shaking your head really nothing nothing

11:30Absolutely, I promise you I haven't even what I've never watched a lap on a on YouTube or anything now Wow, that's okay Well, I'm totally speechless. I would have thought you would have been like yeah No, I can tell you it's like this and and blah blah blah, but okay I love that you're just gonna go and give it a red hot crack from the get go It's brilliant. Yeah, yeah, I like um just rocking up and I mean until you walk the track and Really until you do your first lap like the first lap is where you learn everything because you You naturally just know where the breaking points are like from just like judging the distance And then obviously you find out the gears and then you find out the last fine details and like Looking out before is great, but I don't remember at all until I get out and track and then I go Yeah, well on photo it looked like you could break at 100 meters, but really you can break it like 50 You know, whatever so it's a bit hard to take a reference like that Let's look ahead at the rest of the 2026 calendar For you personally, I mean apart from being mode of three world champion What is it that you're really wanting to achieve with the grid and love team?

12:32Yeah, definitely um well I've always definitely been top five in the the world championship I think I'll be good start just because we had to start a bit slow in the season like where we are right now Um and not only that be top Honda would be ideal Um, and I think that would be a massive achievement from the team like I think uh the This the starts from them were the best point tell you it was like 40 points or something like that over a whole year So if we can quadriple that of you know, they'd be incredible for the team and not only that for myself who as a you know Award to say oh, that was a great season. So um Yeah, we're not putting too much expectation on the on our shoulders, but we're definitely aiming high and we want to we want to Still be pushing out the front and find for podiums like we were All of last year in the past year. So there's that end of the things and then obviously to to achieve a motor to Ah ride that's what we're gonna have to do as well So you mentioned motor to a few times then we can tell that you're obviously hungry for it Are you already starting to be in negotiations or are you waiting for results to speak for you to then make that jump up?

13:38Um Yeah, a bit of both a bit of both um But yeah, now we'll see we'll see how it all plans out I think um it should be okay But you feel like you're ready to make that jump right? Yeah, most definitely yeah I love uh the bigger bikes I really think that I can do well on it and I think you know with the motor to a I think a lot of it relies on the riding instead of a bit of luck and slipstream like in in motor three Um, and don't get me wrong motor three you obviously go big extremely talented, but at the same time you got to be Uh very good with close battles and what and I can slip streams is a big thing In motor two, it seems like it's more on the rider to to be able to get the maximum performance out of the bike And and that puts you at least in the ballpark of the results in motor two um, so I really think I can do well there and that's what we're hungry to do and yeah, I think I think we'll be fine But we want to we want to be stepping up next year for certain So let's talk about Australia for a hot minute It's been a bit of a spicy subject We know that the announcement came of the Adelaide Street circuit So this is the final Philip Island Australian grompry

14:42How are you feeling about that because it feels like it's really bittersweet for everyone It's a very touchy topic for me. I actually spoke with their premier From Victoria on the weekend at Formula One and it uh, it's a very touchy topic, isn't it? It's um it's super super sad to lose Philip on because iconic track and everyone loves it including myself It's it's a best track on the calendar for certain and brings to the best racing and best environment It's just one of them cool weekends But at the same time The new wave of motor GP with liberty coming in Their direction is to take it similar to to the F1 it looks like anyways and and going to more of the cities um to export more personal people so like getting more more spectators and more corporate people Bigger sponsors and all all that sort of stuff. So it's obviously a business um And I'm excited for for racing in a city just for that you know for the spectator side of thing

15:44You know, I think it'll be cool riding through a city but at the same time I don't think it's like what everyone's going to say is it's going to be a street track I think it's going to be a race track in the city um, which is completely different to a street track So I'm excited for that obviously it's never going to be the track like Philip Island I mean We're dreaming if we think that it's going to be Or an ordinary race track in the city and the spectator part about going out of late will be that's in the city And that will probably about it and also obviously it's called to to racing out of late I mean it's a new a new state will race in I mean obviously I've done some racing over the years all around Australia But I think also bringing the whole motor GP paddock to to to out of late will be cool And you never know I look I would love the idea of having two races in Australia Ideally would be have one at Philip Island and one in Adelaide so We'll see hopefully hopefully one day we can do that I mean you got a taste of the the street circuit racing this weekend at the Formula One and I don't know

16:44Your opinion on it for me it feels like it's such a big festival And the fans are there to enjoy all the aspects of it So I'm assuming that that's what Adelaide's going to be like do you agree do you think that's kind of the direction they're heading in? Yeah, I do I do think it will be like that But I still think it will be different because In my opinion anyways motorbikes is it's super interesting sport in the racing terms of things And I think everyone that goes to a modes of people van gets really into it and watching the racing Um and I think You'll never be able to really take that away from the motorbikes because it's so There's so much happening always on the track So I think the people still be a lot more involved in the in the racing side of things Even with the festival stuff on the outside and I think along as they make it Good is in for the spectators because I think that it was probably the biggest thing with Formula One That's a little bit difficult for the spectators to to watch as much Um, like it's not as accessible as like Philippine where you can just walk around and watch from that in corner

17:44But it's all up there. No one even knows if it's going to be done in time It's it's a massive project to make a race track in the city and and Adelaide stepped up to do it But let's see if they can get it done now in time So then do you think this year for your final Philip Ireland Australian Grand Prix you'll do something big For certain. Yeah for sure We definitely want to go out with a bang. I mean first of all good race um good weekend And and then I think we're going to make it a special one and I'm speaking with all the OGP corp guys and and um It's going to be a spectacular year because last year I was obviously in Melbourne in philipon So I'm pretty sure everyone will get down and be super excited for the event So it will be a cool event and I think uh, we should just enjoy the last one and then we'll see if we we go back there one day Exactly well Joel Kelsu, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us We can't wait to see you achieve all the goals that you set out with this new team and the new challenge for 2026 hopefully step up to Moto2 and 27 but before then we will definitely see you at the philipon

18:46Grand Prix circuit in October so Joel all the best for this year Thank you so much. See you as all soon. This episode of pit talk was brought to you by Shannon's insurance Stay up to date with all the latest F1 and MotoGP news on foxports.com.au forward slash motor sport Plus follow us on socials at fox motorsport everywhere and don't forget to watch F1 and MotoGP on the home of motor sport Channel 506 on foxports in kio