St. Louis Supercross Recap: Shimoda’s Injury and Team Outlook
In a dramatic night of racing at the St. Louis Supercross, Jo Shimoda’s participation was cut short following a first-lap incident during the 250SX East Division heat race. Shimoda, who came into the sixth round trailing the series leader Cole Davies by nine points, faced a challenging start that resulted in a multi-rider pileup. The Japanese rider was transported via medical cart due to a left ankle injury and did not compete in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
Post-race evaluations by Honda’s medical team ruled out fractures, but concerns of ligament damage remain. “Alpinestars medical told me that there were no broken bones, but possible ligament damage. We’ll know more when I get an MRI,” Shimoda stated.
Team Manager Lars Lindstrom expressed cautious optimism regarding Shimoda’s condition, stating, “Initially, it looked really serious, but now I’m more hopeful that it’s only a minor setback.” He highlighted that weight on Shimoda’s foot appeared manageable and a detailed assessment would follow with an MRI.
Shimoda’s mishap stemmed from an attempt to avoid a downed rider, ultimately leading to another racer landing on him, exacerbating his injury woes. Lindstrom commented on the brutal track conditions: “It was absolutely brutal; Hutch and I walked the track afterwards.” While the team celebrated Hunter’s race performance, Lindstrom acknowledged the challenges of the night, stating, “We’re satisfied with the result, happy to make up points and be tied for the red plate, but we definitely want more as we battle for this championship to the end.”
As the team awaits further medical updates, the focus shifts to Shimoda’s recovery and the upcoming races in the championship series.
