Honda loses its Japanese protégé: serious injury for Shimoda

Even before Anaheim 1, Honda HRC loses its Japanese hope for AMA Supercross and Motocross. Jo Shimoda, fresh off a contract renewal with the manufacturer, injured his back and neck during training and will be forced into a prolonged layoff.

2025 SuperMotocross champion and coming off a brilliant Nations outing aboard a CRF450R, Jo Shimoda was set in 2026 to repeat the usual 250cc program across Supercross, Motocross, and SuperMotocross. However, following a training crash last Tuesday, the Suzuka native will have to take an enforced break to recover from a delicate injury.

As stated in the Honda HRC Progressive release, "Following the incident on November 25 during pre-season training at The Dog Pound in Florida, Jo Shimoda underwent surgery to repair two fractured and dislocated vertebrae in the upper back and lower neck. The procedure took place on November 26 at Tampa General Hospital. Shimoda’s spinal cord is completely unharmed, and he has regained full mobility and sensation."

That, therefore, is the good news, although Jo Shimoda will have to sit out at least 3 months. In effect, regardless of which coast he was set to race, he has already, before the season even begins, nullified any chance of fighting for the Supercross title. The hope is to regain full fitness in time for the start of the Outdoor season where, on paper, he stands as the pre-announced favorite for the title in what should be his final year in the 250cc class.