Cole Davies (Yamaha) wins at RedBud; Jo Shimoda (HRC) leads the standings

Round 5 of the US Nationals at RedBud (Michigan): New Zealand’s Star Racing Yamaha factory rider Cole Davies was the fastest in the combined qualifying session this morning and started from pole position. Jo Shimoda (HRC) was 11th in the morning session, 4.4 seconds slower than pole-setter Davies.

Combined 250cc qualifying:

1. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 2:19.661

2. Caden Dudney (USA), Yamaha, +1.387

3. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, +2.420

4. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, +2.421

5. Michael Mosiman (USA), Yamaha, +3.856

6. Drew Adams (USA), Kawasaki, +3.933

7. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, +3.946

8. Casey Cochran (USA), Husqvarna, +3.970

9. Daxton Bennick (USA), Husqvarna, +4.313

10. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, +4.351

11. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, +4.421

12. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, +4.534

Second race

Cole Davies once again took the holeshot ahead of Chance Hymas. Casey Cochran, who had already impressed in previous races, overtook Hymas. Jo Shimoda also got off to a good start and was in fourth place, whilst Levi Kitchen returned from the first lap in eighth place.

Julien Beaumer fought his way up the field after a poor start, but he crashed again, losing valuable points in the process. Caden Dudney, who had put in a strong performance in the first race, also crashed in the second race. With eight minutes to go, Levi Kitchen crashed and dropped back to sixth place. At the front, Shimoda closed the gap on Davies and overtook him on the outside with three minutes remaining. With two laps to go, Kitchen overtook Hymas and worked his way back up to fifth place.

Shimoda eventually won the second race ahead of Davies and Ryder DiFrancesco. The overall victory went to Cole Davies, who finished first and second, whilst Shimoda took the championship lead with his race win. He leads by 4 points after 5 of 11 rounds.

RedBud 250 results:

1. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 1-2

2. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, 3-1

3. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, 6-3

4. Casey Cochran (USA), Husqvarna, 5-4

5. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 4-5

6. Caden Dudney (USA), Yamaha, 2-12

7. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 8-6

8. Carson Mumford (USA), KTM, 11-7

9. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 9-9

10. Nate Thrasher (USA), Yamaha, 10-10

Standings after Round 5 of 11:

1. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, 194

2. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 190, (-4)

3. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 185, (-9)

4. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 159, (-35)

5. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, 147, (-47)

6. Seth Hammaker (USA), Kawasaki, 134, (-60)

7. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 127, (-67)

8. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 120, (-74)

9. Nick Romano (USA), Yamaha, 116, (-78)

10. Caden Dudney (USA), Yamaha, 105, (-89)