After a first round less than 24-hours ago that was less than lack luster it was time for a change of pace. Earlier today the top 35 bull riders in the world walked into the Broadmoor World Arena ready to compete at the Championship Sunday performance. Last night it was only nine bull riders that would be able to cover their bovine competitors for the required 8 second ride to earn as score. That being said the field for the championship round was wide open as round two began down on the arena floor.
Although there were not many rides completed last night those nine that did made the most of the opportunity that presented itself to them. Due to injuries many of the “bubble” competitors had the chance to better their season point standings and make their way inside of the top 35 in the world to make their way to Las Vegas for the PBR World Finals. During last night’s round a few of those chosen ones would make the most of the opportunity and garner a qualified ride to earn some round winning points!
Jess Lockwood Wins Round Two With An 87.25 Point Ride
Photo Credit: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media
Tonight each and every one of the top 35 bull riders in the world came in with a newly light flame after a horrific round one performance. This weekend was an ample opportunity for those in need of gaining points or extending their lead to do so with both Cooper Davis and JB. Mauney out of competition. Last night it was current world number one Kaique Pacheco who would do just that but place just outside of earning any round placing points. Tonight it would be a buck-off in round two’s performance that would make the world title race that much more dramatic!
Earlier this afternoon the second round of action here in Colorado Springs began much like the first round did for these cowboys last night. Although the round started off slow in the end it would be a total of only eight of the contestants here this weekend that would earn a qualified ride. That being said no one could be the effort put out this Sunday afternoon by Rookie of the Year leader Jess Lockwood who would win round two with a solid 87.25 point ride aboard Paige Stout Bucking Bulls’ Superstition and head to the championship round.
Complete List Of Round Two Qualified Rides:
Jess Lockwood (87.25) Shane Proctor (86.50)
Luis Blanco (85.50) Joao Ricardo Vieira (84.75)
Mason Lowe (84.25) Silvano Alves (83.50)
Guilherme Marchi (81.00) Cody Nance (68.00)
Joao Ricardo Vieira Takes Home The Championship Round Win
Photo Credit: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media
After the conclusion of the second round of action here in Colorado Springs the final roster for the championship round was finalized. Throughout the two rounds of qualifying action it was a stretch to say the least to fill the 15 spots that were available for the round to determine who the overall event winner would be at the PBR’s home event. Once scores were calculated and the action was set to begin the sold out crowd inside of the Broadmoor World Arena would watch only 11 of the top bull riders in the world compete for the event championship title and world points that would go along with it.
Once the action began down on the arena floor it was apparent from the early get go that things would not get any easier for the cowboys as the bovine athletes got nothing but harder for these elite bull riders in the championship round. Once all the rides were completed it would be only one that would manage to make it to the elusive 8 second buzzer. With that being said nobody other than Joao Ricardo Vieira would be able to post a qualified ride. His efforts would put up an 87.75 point ride aboard Dakota Rodeo/Herald Pro Bulls/Clay Struve/Chad Berger’s Big Cat to win the championship round performance here on a Sunday afternoon.
Joao Ricardo Vieira Celebrates His Event Win Atop The Shark Cage
Photo Credit: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media
After all the action was completed and the scores were calculated it was time to dim the lights and head to the top of the shark cage in the center of the arena for the championship presentation. Once the domination of non other than Joao Ricardo Vieira was concluded it would be this lone ranger that would stand taller than the rest to claim the “Rumble In The Rockies” event win and the much needed championship race points that would go along with it. In the midst of one of the closest races in PBR history each and every point that can be earned over the next four events will be cherished as we head to Las Vegas in just over a month’s time!
As we look ahead to next weekend’s event back in the Pacific Northwest we quickly count down the events that remain. When we open up the first round next weekend in Eugene, Oregon it will mark the beginning of the first of a mere four events remaining in the 2016 season before the start of the 2016 Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series World Finals that begin November 2nd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Current world number one Kaique Pacheco heads into Eugene with a solid 590.33 point lead but it is rumored that Cooper Davis will be making his hard charging return to claim the top spot following a broken clavicle three weeks ago.
Next week’s tour stop in Eugene, Oregon will mark the beginning of the closest run towards the cup in the history of the Professional Bull Riders Organization. Along with the run itself it is rumored that it will also mark the return of young superstar Cooper Davis who lost his world number one spot after sustaining an injury that required surgery. Along with Davis will bring the return, once again, of the reigning and defending PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney back the the roster of contestants competing. To say that next weekend will shape up the world championship race is a safe bet as all the aches, pains and broken bones come down to the last four events of the 2016 season that will qualify them for the 2016 PBR World Finals!
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