Jo Shimoda Dominates Washougal, Secures Second Overall Win in Three Rounds
Jo Shimoda of Team Honda has continued his impressive resurgence in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, securing his second overall victory in the last three rounds at Washougal. After a rocky start to the season with four consecutive second-place finishes, Shimoda faced a five-moto podium drought. However, a remarkable turnaround has seen him consistently finishing on the podium.
In his past seven motos, Shimoda’s results read 2-1-1-2-4-2-1, with overall finishes of fifth at Southwick, first at RedBud, third at Spring Creek, and now first at Washougal. Known for excelling on softer tracks, Shimoda appears to be harnessing momentum as the season progresses.
Post-race, Shimoda emphasized the importance of early race aggression, stating, “I try to put down some sprints, fast pace… I really need to look around and have better lines.” Referring to his recent training, he noted, “I worked on the starts… super stoked.”
Key to his success was a strategic early pass on Seth Hammaker in the second moto, paving the way for a decisive moto win. His 2-1 performance edged out Haiden Deegan, who finished 1-2, further solidifying Shimoda’s position as a championship contender as the series enters its closing stages.
