is a Japanese professional motocross rider who currently competes in the AMA Supercross and Motocross championships for HRC Honda. He is the 2025 SMX 250cc Champion.

Personal life Shimoda was born and raised in Suzuka, Japan to parents Yoichi and Ai. He has one sister. Jo's father rode motorcycles and gave Jo a dirt bike when he was a toddler. Jo continued to ride through childhood and his parents entered him in many local races. His father then sought stiffer competition for Jo and had him race in Europe and the United States. He began racing full time in the US in 2016 and turned pro in 2019. He resides in Clermont, Florida.

Career

Amateur career As a child, Shimoda raced in Japan, Europe, and the US. In 2016 he won the AMA Amateur National Championship in Super Mini 2 at Loretta Lynn's. The next year, he signed with the Honda Factory Connection's amateur program. In 2018, he was the Monster Energy All Stars winner. In 2019, he turned pro, racing the last three AMA Pro Motocross Nationals.

2020 Shimoda raced the 250SX East and finished third in the standings after a delay in the season. He was awarded the AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year. In motocross, Shimoda raced to a best finish of fifth and was 11th in the championship. He then signed with Pro Circuit Kawasaki.

2021 Shimoda again raced the 250SX East, placing within the top-five for most of season and earning his first win. He finished second overall. Shimoda had an up and down motocross season with three podium finishes and placed fifth overall.

2022 Shimoda raced the 250SX East this year and placed fourth in the championship with two podiums. He raced well in Motocross and was rarely off the podium. He achieved two overall wins and finished second in the standings. Shimoda was part of team Japan at the MXoN at Redbud. His team struggled in the conditions and they did not qualify for the main event.

2023 During preparation for racing 250SX East, Shimoda suffered a shoulder injury. He was able to return for the last four rounds in where he finished fourth twice, ninth and second. In motocross, Shimoda struggled to find consistency. He ended the season with one win and four podium finishes, which led him to a third place finish in the standings. At the inaugural SuperMotorcross Championship, Shimoda won the opening round then placed second in the next two rounds. He finished second overall.

On Wednesday October 18, Shimoda announced his move from Pro Circuit Kawasaki to HRC Honda.

2024 Shimoda started his 250SX West season with some misfortunes but mostly stayed within the top-five. He had one win and placed fourth in the championship.

AMA Supercross/Motocross results Year Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 Rnd4 Rnd5 Rnd6 Rnd7 Rnd8 Rnd9 Rnd10 Rnd11 Rnd12 Rnd13 Rnd14 Rnd15 Rnd16 Rnd17 AverageFinish PodiumPercent Place 2020 250 SX-E - - - - - -1010 5721 811 - -58 9.44 -3rd 2020 250 MX 16 25 8 15 10 8 8 7 5 - - - - - - - - 11.33 - 11th 2021 250 SX-E 4 5 4 3 4 2 4 - - - - - - - - 1 6 3.67 33% 2nd 2021 250 MX 10 4 11 6 2 7 13 16 6 2 4 2 - - - - - 6.92 25% 5th ~2022 250 SX-W 7 7 5 7 3 OUT - - - - - 4 - 4 - 4 5 5.11 11% 4th 2022 250 MX 3 4 5 3 1 2 2 4 1 2 2 2 - - - - - 2.58 75% 2nd 2023 250 SX-E - - - - OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT - - 4 9 2 - 4 4.75 25% 13th 2023 250 MX 7 6 4 4 7 3 3 7 4 3 1 - - - - - - 4.45 36% 3rd 2024 250 SX-W 4DNF44 - 3 - - - - 3 2 - 2 - 14 2.78 56%4th 2024 250 MX 6 5 4 4 3 3 13 3 12 OUT OUT - - - - - - 5.89 33% 6th 2025 250 SX-W 1 7 6 10 - - 4 - 6 - 5 - 5 - - 9 8 6.10 10% 4th 2025 250 MX 2 2 6 6 5 1 3 1 2 1 2 - - - - - - 2.82 73% 2nd 2026 250 SX-E - - - - - - 2 ARL 4 DAY 2 IND 4 BIR 3 DET OUT STL OUT NAS OUT CLE OUT PHI - OUT SLC 3.00 60% 8th 2026 250 MX 6 FOX 5 HAN 1 THU 3 HIG 2 RED OUT SOU OUT SPR OUT WAS OUT UNA OUT BUD OUT IRN - - - - - - 3.40 60% 8th

SMX Results Year Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 AverageFinish PodiumPercent Place 2023 250 SMX 1 CON 2 CHI 2 LAC 1.67 100% 2nd 2024 250 SMX 4 CON 3 FOR 4 LVE 3.67 33% 4th 2025 250 SMX 3 CON 1 STL 1 LVE 1.67 100% 1st 2026 250 SMX 13 COL 4 LOS 12 RID 9.67 - 9th

References