Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda will make his 250SX East return at Atlanta, marking his first gate drop of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship.

Shimoda broke his collarbone in the build-up to Houston’s Eastern regional championship opener which ruled him out of the first six rounds of 250SX East, now set for a return as four races remain.

“We are very happy to welcome back Jo after he had a little hiccup before the season started,” Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team manager Iain Southwell explained. “He will be working hard to fight for a top spot, but we know he’ll likely need to knock off some cobwebs.”

Shimoda so far has one 250SX East win to his credit, victorious at Salt Lake City 1 in 2021 and was fourth in 250SX West last year despite missing Anaheim 3’s main event after a heat race crash while challenging for victory.

He will join team fill-in Chris Blose at Atlanta as Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) enters the round with a commanding 35-point red plate advantage.