Shimoda Leads as Deegan Fights Back in Las Vegas Finale

LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Jo Shimoda seized the holeshot during the opening laps of the 2025 Las Vegas SMX finale, a crucial move as passing became difficult. Shimoda quickly gained a comfortable lead, especially after Haiden Deegan crashed with Ryder DiFrancesco midway through the race.

“I was just focusing on myself,” Shimoda said in an interview with Peacock’s Jason Thomas. “I got a good start and tried to sprint away right away.” He led all 15 laps, although he expressed dissatisfaction with his pace and promised a stronger performance in Moto 2.

Deegan, recovering from his crash, remounted in fourth place and showcased his signature determination, overtaking Tom Vialle and closing in on Seth Hammaker as the race progressed. “All I can say is, ‘I’m going to fight,’” Deegan told Will Christien. “We’ve got one more moto to go and that’s all I can do.”

Meanwhile, Hammaker managed to secure third place, keeping his championship hopes alive, provided Shimoda and Deegan faltered. The top five also included Vialle and Nate Thrasher.

Shimoda’s holeshot edged out Hammaker, who entered the race third in points and was vying for the championship. DiFrancesco initially jumped ahead to third place before Deegan, starting from a disappointing tenth in qualification, moved into fourth.

On Lap 4, Vialle rounded out the top five. However, Deegan clipped DiFrancesco mid-air after he scrubbed speed on a jump. Both riders went down, but Deegan quickly recovered. DiFrancesco, unable to get up immediately, was taken to the medical cart but later walked out under his own power.

By Lap 9, Deegan managed to move up to third and narrowed the gap to Hammaker. With DiFrancesco’s crash, Thrasher advanced to fifth place. Deegan then passed Hammaker for second place on Lap 12, trailing Shimoda by five seconds.

Shimoda managed to maintain his lead, but both he and Deegan positioned themselves for potential overall victories in Moto 2.

Cole Davies retired after a crash on Lap 2, while DiFrancesco exited on Lap 6 due to Deegan landing on him.