race recap
JO SHIMODA GRIT-224 250MX
June 19, 2023 · Jo Shimoda

JO SHIMODA | GRIT-224 | 250MX
The speed of Jo Shimoda was a trait that could never be questioned, especially amongst the first three rounds of action in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship thus far. Therefore many would predict that he would be battling at the top of the leaderboard throughout the day at High Point; and their hypothesis would be correct as pushed forward from a superb fourth place effort in qualification. For moto number one, Shimoda would begin the quest near the fourth-place position, behind RJ Hampshire, Jalek Swoll, and Haiden Deegan when heading into the second corner of action - until a knifing of the front end, amongst the muck/soil that comprised this racecourse would fling him to the ground below. Shimoda was then scrambling to hop aboard his motorcycle as quickly as possible, where he somehow pushed forward to generate a thirteenth-place residency on the opening lap as the green flag was thrown. He was then set on making as many moves as possible while creating a blistering pace amongst the High Point course, where he flew through the switchbacks prior to the largest ski jump with immense rolling speed; foregoing applying both front and rear brake, while traveling into the top-ten. He would then push to a position in the race order that was just behind Caden Braswell and Chance Hymas; where the veteran aptitude of Shimoda would flourish, and he saw an ultimatum of sorts appear on the horizon. He knew that could overtake the younger competitors with a blitz amongst the final circuits, and eventually succeeded within his game-plan while passing the Honda and GasGas rider, to claim seventh prior to exiting the raceway. His efforts for moto two were much the same, but Shimoda's opening position in the running order (of fifth) was much more advantageous that his stance in the first bout. Though passed by Hunter Lawrence prior to lap three concluding, he would then aim his trajectory on establishing a pace inside the top five once and for all...in which he would succeed. Chance Hymas and Levi Kitchen were the next opponents to be overtaken as the clock reached expiration - with Shimoda doing everything in his power to claim third before engines ceased. And with perseverance, that's exactly what the rider from Japan would do...ending his day with a third in the latter moto, for fourth overall, respectively.