He’s called “Naranjito” (little orange) by his Spanish teammates, a “young gun” by international sports broadcasters, and a “local legend” by everyone in Darwin. We chat to Moto3 rider Joel Kelso about his world domination.
Words by Alley Pascoe
It’s 13,251 kilometres from Darwin to Italy. That’s the distance Joel Kelso travelled – at the age of 15 – to chase his Moto3 dreams. It was 2018 when the young motorcycle racer moved to the other side of the world, and he hasn’t looked back since.
“Europe is the heart of racing, so if you really want to have a shot at going to the big leagues, that’s where you need to be,” explains Joel, now 21 and based in Spain. “Of course, I was really nervous moving away from my family, as any 15-year-old would be. I missed my friends and my dogs. But the sacrifice has all paid off now.”
The sacrifice wasn’t Joel’s alone. It was a family – and community – effort. Joel’s nan, who owns Friendly Pool & Spa Care in Coconut Grove, has lived in Darwin all her life, and he moved here from Queensland with his mum and older sister when he was 12. By that age, he’d already been road racing for several years. “I started racing [motocross and dirt track] when I was four, and I was racing road bikes all over Australia by the time we moved to Darwin,” remembers Joel, who is described by his mum Nayelle as a “handful” of a young kid.
“Joel always wanted to be outside, riding anything with wheels: scooters, unicycles, push bikes and motorbikes,” adds Nayelle, who raised Joel and his sister Courtney as a single mum. “I remember telling Joel 12 years ago that I would do whatever it takes to keep him going [in the sport], I’d sell a kidney if I had to.”
Speaking from Melbourne hours before his flight back to Spain, Joel repeatedly credits his family for their unwavering support and belief in him: “I had the support from my mum, nan and sister, and they gave me the possibility to do what I’m doing.”
What he’s doing is this: competing in the Moto3 World Championship, hitting speeds of 260 kilometres per hour, and taking on the best racers in the game. Not bad for a boy from Darwin, eh?
“It’s an awesome privilege to be able to represent Darwin and Australia on the world stage,” says Joel, who achieved his first World Championship podium finish last year, coming third at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on Aussie soil. “That was the most special moment. I think the best thing any rider can dream of is getting a podium at home.”
For Paolo Randazzo, a director at Randazzo Properties who have sponsored Joel since 2021, the Phillip Island podium is one he’ll never forget. “It is always exciting, and nerve wracking, seeing Joel race, but to be there when he got on the podium in his home GP was absolutely fantastic,” says Paolo. “We are really happy to provide our support, but it is only a small part of what keeps Joel racing. The most important part is his drive and determination that has got him to where he is, and hopefully will take him much further.”
This drive (pun intended) has helped Joel overcome the challenges the sport has thrown at him. “We had a hard last two seasons with injuries and stuff, but we never gave up, we just made it happen. I think that’s been the backbone behind everything; determination,” explains Joel, who had surgery on his foot at the end of last year but then came into the 2024 season the strongest and fittest he’s been.
Racing at this elite level requires strict discipline – Joel has an intense cardio and cycling training regime – and also an element of luck. Behind every great athlete is a pre-game ritual. Basketballer Lebron James tossed chalk in the air, cricketer Steve Waugh played every match with a red handkerchief from his grandfather in his pocket, and baseballer Wade Boggs ate chicken before every game. “Before I get on the bike, I always put my left gloves and boots on before my right,” says Joel of his own tradition. “Everything’s a ritual in racing, every year we add something to the list. I think it’s going to be hard when have 20 minutes to an hour [of rituals].” Whatever it takes.
During his training regime and his ritual set, Joel keeps his goals front of mind. They’re always in reach, close enough to grab, propelling him further. “Obviously we want to get a few more podiums on the board this year, and I want to go into next year as a title contender,” he reveals. “There’s no limits. That’s my advice to Darwin kids wanting to chase their dreams, anything is possible if you go for it. Never give up.”
Follow Joel’s journey online: http://joelkelso.com.au or Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/joelkelso66
