Jo Shimoda Crowned SMX 250 Champion in Las Vegas

Jo Shimoda Crowned SMX 250 Champion in Las Vegas

What a night in Las Vegas! Under the bright lights and with the season on the line, Jo Shimoda delivered an unforgettable performance to claim the SMX 250 Championship.

Fans packed the stands for the final round of the SuperMotocross World Championship, and Jo didn’t disappoint. With sharp lines, fearless passes, and relentless speed, he secured the points he needed to take home the title. (and did you catch our Mint at his post race press interview??)

  • Event: SMX World Championship Finale
  • Class: 250
  • Location: Las Vegas, NV
  • Result: Jo Shimoda 250 SMX Champion

Moto 1: Strong Start and Smart Riding for Jo

Coming off a tough qualifying performance, Shimoda nailed the holeshot, immediately putting pressure on Haiden Deegan. By Lap 4, Shimoda had built a cushion of about 4.6 seconds. Deegan attempted to battle back but a crash with DiFrancesco on Lap 6 set him back. Deegan didn’t stay down long though, and gradually fought his way back to second. Shimoda stayed clean, kept the pace, and ultimately crossed the line 2.367 seconds ahead of Deegan.

Moto 2: Drama, Recovery, and a Final-Run Pass

Deegan came out swinging, banging bars with Shimoda in the opening turns. On Lap 10 he tangled with Shimoda and both went down. Shimoda remounted quickly, but Tom Vialle slipped past and looked set to take 2nd. With the crowd on its feet, Shimoda dug deep and in the final corner he made a decisive pass back on Vialle to reclaim the spot. That move gave him the round victory and punctuated his run to the 2025 SMX 250 Championship.

Why This One Counts

Shimoda showed poise: After a pole in Moto 1 and a clean ride, then bouncing back from a wreck in Moto 2 to make the right moves. Deegan pushed hard, but the wreck cost him. Shimoda’s resilience won out. The final-turn pass speaks to championship-level mindset: knowing what is needed and going for it when it matters.

Why This Win Matters

For motocross fans, this isn’t just another result, it’s a milestone in Jo’s career and a big moment for the sport. The SMX 250 crown puts Jo in elite company and shows that he’s one of the fastest rising stars in the moto world.

We couldn’t be more proud to be Team Jo. Huge congrats to Jo Shimoda and the entire Honda Racing crew for making history in Vegas!