Riding for the MTA Racing Team, Kelso was on course for a top 10 finish when he triggered a multi-rider incident.
Kelso was part of a pack of seven bikes fighting over second place when the crash began.
Into the last turn, the 21-year-old lost control of his bike and took out Italy’s Dennis Fogia and Spain’s Angel Piqueras.
It ended a strong showing for the Darwin-born rider who earlier in the weekend qualified eighth.
Adding insult to injury, Kelso has been served a penalty that he will have to serve in the Argentine Motorcycle Grand Prix.
“Gutted about that one,” Kelso wrote on social media.
OUCH!
Joel Kelso involved in a HUGE crash 😬
📺 Watch the #ThaiGP on ch. 506 or via @kayosports https://t.co/rXET2U5XYU#MotoGP #Moto2 pic.twitter.com/AINIh8QWgG
— Fox Motorsport (@Fox_Motorsport) March 2, 2025
“After a tough weekend, we dug deep as a team and came into the race with a good feeling.
“I started off trying to position myself in the best spot to avoid the carnage. As the tyres dropped off, I kept a little in reserve to make a late push toward the podium.
“I saw my opportunity to move forward as the pace slowed, but no one’s fault but mine—I misjudged the last corner and just couldn’t pull up the bike.
“Massive apologies to [Angel Piquera] for ruining his race.
“Unfortunately, I’ll also have to serve a double long-lap penalty at Round 2.
“It’s definitely not ideal, but I love the Argentina track, and this will only add fuel to the fire.”
Buchanan and O’Shea involved in an early tangle 💥 Glad to see they’re both on their feet 👍#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/MJwe3ukKIL
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 2, 2025
Trans-Tasman ally Cormac Buchanan was the last rider to be classified in the race in 15th.
On his Moto3 debut, the New Zealander crashed on the opening lap and spent the rest of the race in no man’s land.
In the end, Buchanan wound up 57 seconds away from race winner Jose Antonio Rueda who dominated proceedings.
Rueda cleared out to a second-second win over his Red Bull KTM Ajo teammate Alvaro Carpe while Adrian Fernandez completed the podium for Leopard Racing.
A total of 11 riders failed to finish the Moto3 race.
Results: Moto3 Thailand Motorcycle Grand Prix
| Pos | Num | Rider | Team | Laps/Diff |
| 1 | 99 | Jose Antonio Rueda | Red Bull KTM Ajo | 19 laps |
| 2 | 83 | Alvaro Carpe | Red Bull KTM Ajo | 7.276 |
| 3 | 31 | Adrian Fernandez | Leopard Racing | 7.341 |
| 4 | 82 | Stefano Nepa | SIC58 Squadra Corse | 7.59 |
| 5 | 18 | Matteo Bertelle | LEVELUP-MTA | 10.242 |
| 6 | 71 | Dennis Foggia | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team | 11.644 |
| 7 | 22 | David Almansa | Leopard Racing | 12.068 |
| 8 | 54 | Riccardo Rossi | Rivacold Snipers Team | 13.138 |
| 9 | 78 | Joel Esteban | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | 21.956 |
| 10 | 58 | Luca Lunetta | SIC58 Squadra Corse | 22.031 |
| 11 | 21 | Ruche Moodley | DENSSI Racing – BOE | 22.158 |
| 12 | 36 | Angel Piqueras | FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI | 29.798 |
| 13 | 89 | Marcos Uriarte | GRYD – Mlav Racing | 30.044 |
| 14 | 11 | Adrian Cruces | CIP Green Power | 29.93 |
| 15 | 14 | Cormac Buchanan | DENSSI Racing – BOE | 57.228 |
| DNF | 34 | Jakob Rosenthaler | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team | Lap 18 |
| DNF | 19 | Scott Ogden | CIP Green Power | Lap 18 |
| DNF | 66 | Joel Kelso | LEVELUP-MTA | Lap 14 |
| DNF | 64 | David Muñoz | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP | Lap 12 |
| DNF | 10 | Nicola Carraro | Rivacold Snipers Team | Lap 10 |
| DNF | 6 | Ryusei Yamanaka | FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI | Lap 9 |
| DNF | 94 | Guido Pini | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP | Lap 8 |
| DNF | 72 | Taiyo Furusato | Honda Team Asia | Lap 7 |
| DNF | 5 | Tatchakorn Buasri | Honda Team Asia | Lap 6 |
| DNF | 73 | Valentin Perrone | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | Lap 6 |
| DNF | 8 | Eddie O’Shea | GRYD – Mlav Racing | Lap 1 |
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