The Japanese rider joins Tom Vialle as one of the main SX2 riders for the 40th edition of the Paris Supercross 2023 on November 18 & 19 in Paris La Defense Arena. This will be the first visit of Shimoda to the event.
A few weeks ago in Southwick, round six of the AMA Pro Motocross series, Shimoda battled against Tom Vialle was a real eye-catcher, with each taking moto wins and the Frenchman taking the overall, his first victory on American soil. In Millville, Jo Shimoda only gave way to the victory on the final lap of the first moto to Hunter Lawrence. He went on to claim his second consecutive podium finish. The good news is that these three talents in top form will be in Paris on November 18 and 19 at the magical Paris La Défense Arena.
At the age of 22, Jo Shimoda is quite simply the best Japanese rider ever to have competed on American soil. Turning pro at the end of 2019, he climbed to third place in the SX 250 East Coast championship in 2020, becoming runner-up the following year in the same championship, then runner-up in the Outdoor 250 2022 behind the untouchable Jett Lawrence, but ahead of his brother Hunter. His list of honours includes seventeen podium finishes in three SX/MX seasons, including three victories. Never before has a rider from the land of the Rising Sun reached such a level of excellence! Like Vialle, Shimoda is as stylish on the handlebars as he is discreet and humble in his communication.
Don’t expect any thunderous declarations from these two! But once on track, of course, things will be quite different. Even if the organizers, in liaison with the French teams traditionally involved in Paris, are planning other high-flying protagonists from America, Tom and Jo are obviously luxury contenders for the title of “Prince of Paris”! Hunter Lawrence, for his part, is expected to line up in the 450 class, where he will be joined by his brother Jett (still unbeaten since moving up to the premier class in MX US), Ken Roczen and Justin Barcia. The organizers have yet to confirm at least two other top American riders, to ensure that the line-up for this 40th edition of the Paris Supercross is the finest presented in the last twenty years!
For more information and tickets visit www.supercrossparis.com
