Jo Shimoda confirmed his future as the 2025 250 SuperMotocross champion is set to stay with the Honda HRC Progressive team through the 2026 season. The Japanese native is fresh off his best season to date and will continue to race the 250 Supercross, Motocross, and SuperMotocross divisions aboard the CRF250R-WE.
“Since I was young, I’ve thought HRC is one of the most advanced teams in the whole motorsports industry,” Shimoda said. “To be a part of that is amazing. Where I grew up, they have the Suzuka Circuit, where Honda is all over the place—Honda Racing Corporation is right by my house! There’s a lot to it, and it means a lot to me.”
“On behalf of everyone at American Honda, Honda HRC Progressive and HRC, I’m extremely pleased to welcome Jo back for another season,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Advertising at American Honda. “We’re proud of the progress that Jo has made with his speed and confidence over the last couple of seasons, and he has played an important role in developing our CRF250RWE race machine. We’re excited to see what we can do next together.”
The 23-year-old turned in a breakout season in 2025, fighting for wins and podiums, and earning the 250 SMX crown. Shimoda turned pro with Geico Honda in 2019 and returned to the factory team in 2024. The 2025 season saw him take a step forward by winning the 250SX West season opener and finishing second in AMA Pro Motocross standings, with a pair of overall wins along the way. He later captured two overall wins in the SMX Playoffs and wrapped up the title, becoming the first Japanese rider to win a professional AMA championship. Shimoda also impressed aboard the CRF450RWE for Team Japan at this year’s Motocross of Nations, posting 2-6 results in his Open Class motos.
