JO SHIMODA GRIT-226 250MX

JO SHIMODA | GRIT-226 | 250MX

The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider would look to rekindle his flow from years ago, where fans would cheer from the fence-line in regard to the speed that Japan's Jo Shimoda would show. The number thirty was incredible amongst the sand in past races, and would return to the starting grid at "The Wick 338" for this year's competition with his sights set on an overall podium. But the path to the top step(s) wouldn't be easy, especially as he began the first moto of the afternoon in thirteenth. Shimoda possessed stellar lines, however, especially when nearing the mechanic's area; where he remained on the outside from the initial right-hander, through the straightaway thereafter and over the singles that followed. Crouching in an aerodynamic stance of sorts, his ability to garner a surplus of speed (when compared to many of his competitors) would have him quickly infiltrating the top-ten - which was occupied on the fourth circuit. From that point and onward, it was a process of accruing a higher single-digit placement; where he battled with the likes of Haiden Deegan, Levi Kitchen, and Ryder DiFrancesco. His fellow Kawasaki teammate (DiFrancesco) would be one who was overtaken, amongst numerous others as he neared the twenty-five minute mark; where there was a juncture of fatiguing and faltering, on behalf of many of his adversaries. Shimoda (at that point) would engage in some of his strongest speeds of the moto, where he stormed through sweeping turns just after the Buckley Berm and proceeded to show little mercy to his engine, or the racetrack beneath him! Using the mounds of powder that had accumulated on the outside of the course as a means to ricochet from, he would eventually pass his teammate Seth Hammaker in the final stages...which was a crucial move to occupy sixth, before exiting the raceway with a sense of accomplishment. But he sought more for the following round, and would accelerate to a near hole-shot while gathering an incredible standing of second as he passed the green flag. He would seek to overtake Tom Vialle as quickly as possible, and with a valiant charge, would do so as they landed from the finish-line double with just over eleven minutes transpiring off of the original timer. He then had roughly twenty to twenty-five minutes of engaging in a pace that would break away from the field...and that's exactly what Shimoda would do. His lines were a blend of creativeness and efficiency, where he dodged particular bumps while hopping over accompanying rollers; keeping the RPM's revved high while avoiding the process of burying his wheels amongst the deepest berms on the backside of the raceway. Every so often, subtle glances of checking to see where the competition resided would occur...but Shimoda was in a league of his own at the front of field! Eventually taking the moto win in style, his second moto victory was then enough to propel him to third overall as the final podium was announced!

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