Jo Shimoda left Las Vegas with exactly what he came for – the championship. Despite the short, three-round series, Shimoda said earning the number one plate “means a lot” and proved to himself he could accomplish his goal.
When asked about Haiden Deegan’s aggressive tactics in the second moto, Shimoda admitted it was “more than I expected,” but said he wasn’t angry about it. “It was a little sketchy, but I kind of respect that he just does everything to win. I just need to ride faster so it won’t be an issue next time,” Shimoda explained.
Throughout the motos, Shimoda kept calm under pressure, managing his starts and sprinting early to build a gap. Even when things got heated, he focused on avoiding high-speed hits and sticking to his race plan. A last-corner pass before the finish line capped off his effort, even though he admitted it wasn’t necessary to secure the title.
