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JO SHIMODA GRIT-230 250MX

August 21, 2023 · Jo Shimoda

JO SHIMODA GRIT-230 250MX

JO SHIMODA | GRIT-230 | 250MX

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Jo Shimoda was a supremely talented competitor who's skillset translated to every venue on the AMA Pro Motocross circuit - regardless of a specific region. And as action began at Budd's Creek, and the moisture in the soil began to carve numerous ruts through every facet of the layout; which allowed Shimodato excel, long before the gates fell in the first moto. However, his aptitude was immediately exhibited when passing through the finish-line section to take the green flag of the opening showcase, where upon returning to the racing surface, the number thirty would possess tremendous speed and reiterate his talents while maintaining the lead over Yamaha's Haiden Deegan. However, when he and Star Racing rider first embarked on the opening s-curve section (atop the hill), it was Deegan who stormed around an outside wall and narrowly evaded the Kawasaki rider upon exit...forcing Shimoda into second for the moments that followed. They would nearly come together before the largest triple shortly thereafter, but luckily, both riders remained on two wheels. However, his flow within the second-place position was nullified thereafter - with a red-flag being thrown, forcing a restart! However after the gate would fall once more, and the remainder of the fifteen-minute conclusion came to fruition, it was Shimoda who charged amongst the top-ten until the final flag was waved, to secure seventh in the running order.Upon the latter stage of the afternoon, another contest that spanned longer than thirty minutes would be on tap...and Shimodawould sprint forward while pummeling braking bumps, to corral fourth-place in the early going. He would reside fourth for quite a while, with Cooper, Forkner, and Hunter Lawrence attempting to break away; but Shimoda was aware of how the track was breaking down, and the accompanying pace of his fellow opponents. He saw the number thirty-two machine make a pass on his teammate (Forkner) around the seventh circuit, and then engaged in another level of momentum that led to a climactic moment on the tenth. It was just after "Henry Hill," where Shimoda spotted an outside pathway that couldn't be denied on behalf of the number fifty-five. Once into third, it was a process of staying fluid as the track would dry...but Shimoda rose to the occasion (as always) and proceeded to push as hard as possible to the checkered flag that awaited him at the end. Ultimately generating a performance of third, his overall finish would be equated to his final moto score - securing a bronze medal, for the Budd's Creek National.

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