Shimoda

I think he crashed more last weekend than in his whole 250 career so far in the US.

Crashed in practice and was favoring his left shoulder when he got back up. Then the next few laps were pretty slow. I don't think he was comfortable with himself or the track this weekend.

In the B main (LCQ), he was mid-pack, and before long, near the back of the pack and covered in mud (not sure where he crashed in that race). He had a lot of folks cheering him on, but had a rough weekend, and not sure he likes the mud.

He crashed in the B main right in front of where I was standing. He went to make a pass and the other rider swerved right into him (I think on accident because of the mud). They were both on Kawis and accidentally got on each other’s bikes. They then realized and had to switch back. At the PC rig later Jo was there and there was talk of him hurting his hand. Don’t know it it was from that crash or something previous.

He was riding good in the B main and it was impressive how fast he still was after having his grips in a sloppy mud hole. He needs to do 1,000 starts this off season though. He shouldn’t have gotten such a piss poor start in the B main.

I felt bad for Jo. It seemed like he felt like he had the whole team on his shoulders and was just trying to hard in the conditions.

Must be karma for letting hunter take him out at pala.

I saw at least four crashes between Saturday and Sunday but I think I missed one or two on top of that. He had a rough weekend…

On his insta he posted that he hurt his hand bur hopefully its nothing too serious

I agree 100%!!! . He had a lot of pressure, and he just couldn't catch a break. Bad gate pick and He didn't get a good start in his Sat moto but was extremely fast and was busting his ass moving up in the pack. It wasn't shown on TV but it happened in front of us. In the turn across from the mechanics area the swiss rider washed out right in front of Joe and he hit him hard. He was banged up good, but he got up fast, but he was way back at this point. He quickly got back in a fast zone and was doing everything he could to move up but had another crash by possibly making a mistake riding over his head. He was giving it his all and the crowd was behind him. He has the respect of the real moto fans here in the US and he deserves it!! He was devasted after the moto at the PC truck and so many fans and people behind the ropes felt bad for the kid. Again, He NEVER quit.

Sunday last chance B race was just a continuation from Saturday's moto. Not a good gate pick and got a horrible start but the kid went for it. He crashed a bunch trying to move up on a difficult one-line track. Just a bad weekend.

He should still hang his head high. He will have better days. He's a GREAT kid and has the right make up and has the speed and the will to win. Thats why these US fans have quickly taken him as our own.

Was also great to see Pro Circuit support him at this event like they did even though Factory Kawasaki didn't support anyone. Classless in many people's eyes this past weekend. Mitch is a class act and deserves a better manufacture as far support goes.

I wonder what happened to him…. Hope he is ok…

He cartwheeled down the hill to the left turn before the flag jump Saturday. Was a gnarly crash. Looked like his front wheel basically came to a stop and he went OTB. His bike almost hit the fence. Felt awful for the guy.

He knew it was up to him to deliver results to help the team and it looked like he was just pushing too much. Feel bad for him.

I mentioned this is another thread, but my theory is that a lot of these crashes may be attributed to his riding style, in almost all his vids his elbows are way down compared to riders like Jett or Cooper who seem to crash way less.

Being in Japan until Wednesday, flying into LA and then leaving for Red Bud on Thursday probably didn’t help….

Not the kind of week-end that's gonna change my mind about Shimoda being vastly overrated.
Yeah, yeah, downvote all you like, my friends.

NBD...

He’ll be back stronger..

Doesn’t matter who you are - everyone has had a day/weekend where you can not stay off the ground for the life of you…

Just a shame Jo’s weekend was one of those, because that’s a hell of a stage to struggle on

Nice artwork, at least.

swap travel agent

Nope just have good sources….

I've been an instant fan of this kid since I heard him speak on the podium, something to effect that "I don't want to be here this way" I think someone ahead crashed out or something like that. Instant fan.
TM

That was his first podium in SX. He was running 5th with Craig in 4th and someone else in 3rd. Craig tried to pass for 3rd and took himself and 3rd out, so Jo motored by and finished on the podium. I think it was the next week, maybe 2 weeks later, that he finished 3rd on his own and was much more stoked.

Kong, who do you like? You seem to talk shit on everyone and everything

Hmmm let's see... Tomac, Ferrandis, Anderson, Craig, Stewart, Brayton, Anstie, the Lawrence bros, Kitchen, to name a few AMA racers. I'll spare you the MXGP guys.
Please, let me know if that's alright with you.

Oh, btw, thinking someone is overrated doesn't have much to do with liking him or not.