JO SHIMODA - GRIT 248 250SX

GRIT-248 | 250 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

Honda's Jo Shimoda had gathered a significant amount of momentum in the latter stages of the 2024 championship, with the athlete aboard the number thirty-machine embarking on the round of Nashville hoping to make a definitive statement amongst the entire 250cc classification. Though Shimoda was putting a bit of pressure on himself to perform, he thrived throughout practice and into his heat race, where he was registered in fourth for the first full lap of competition. RJ Hampshire would pressure him substantially, however, and make his way around as the number thirty then descended to fifth-place. This was a makeshift main event, however, with the entirety of the West Coast roster now competing alongside one another to make their way into the finalé. Shimoda was aggressive, yet under control, monitoring the moves of his fellow combatants before a red-flag was thrown and the field was forced to restart upon the start straightaway. Shimoda, remained calm while heart-rates spiked - returning to competition to secure fifth, while trying to topple Phil Nicoletti in the closing moments. Though time eventually ran out, and Jo was forced to reside fifth which would leave him around a ninth-to-tenth gate choice in the main event. Despite not having the most optimal of grates to leap from, Shimoda's start was nearly perfect and he completed the opening lap just behind RJ Hampshire. RJ was riding superb, but Shimoda too, had excelled with a high aptitude aboard the Honda 250F. Thorough the first quarter, his gap over Jordon Smith and Tom Vialle remained rather steady...and the composure that the newfound Honda rider was showing was remarkable, while demonstrating back to back triple sequences, and navigating through various slick corners with immaculate throttle control. Through twelve, all seemed to be moving forward at a solid rate...when he glanced over his shoulder and monitored the distance between he and France's Tom Vialle. Knowing that he (Shimoda) was giving it all he had, and wasn't necessarily gaining time on RJ Hampshire, his next objective was to remain in control while locking-down the silver medal overall. Therefore, over the wall-jump, and through the tightest of ruts around the track that were now trenched and difficult to embark on, Shimoda's vision never wavered. He processed the track in an incredible manner, and ultimately raced to a second-place overall - which was a strong feat to build from, in the coming rounds of the series!

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