Image: Octopi Media.

250SMX contender Jo Shimoda will take a 10-point advantage into the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) season finale in Las Vegas this weekend, after overcoming a fever throughout the St. Louis round to earn the victory.

The Honda HRC Progressive rider delivered a 2-2 scorecard inside The Dome at America’s Center after battling the effects of the illness, posting a consistent weekend while chaos ensued elsewhere.

A second moto clash between Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen and reigning 250SMX champion Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) proved beneficial for Shimoda, who entered round two at an eight-point deficit, only to leave St. Louis with a critical 10-point margin.

“St. Louis was a tough day!” commented Shimoda. “I haven’t been feeling great – I had a fever going, and I was just trying to manage it. I just wanted to get a good start, ride 80 percent, do nothing crazy, and just finish it off. So I’m very happy with the result going into next weekend.

“I thought I was racing in a sauna with a headache, sweating so much, no energy, but still needing a jacket to wear. Anyway, we’ll get healthy, and thank you [to my] people.”

With triple points on offer in Las Vegas, Shimoda’s double-digit margin over second place eclipses the nine points available between a first and second place finish, meaning a P2 performance on Saturday would earn him a maiden 250SMX title.