ST. LOUIS – World No. 1 Jose Vitor Leme brushed off some excess mud on his shirt following the 15/15 Bucking Battle on Saturday night in St. Louis before shrugging.
Leme is once again back on top of the world standings following his 89.75-point ride on Jive Turkey in the 15/15 Bucking Battle and his 84.75-point ride on Air Tight Alibi in Round 1. However, the 22-year-old knows to not put much stock in being No. 1 in the world on Feb. 22.
Leme will head into Championship Sunday of the U.S. Border Patrol Invitational at the Enterprise Center with a 26.25-point lead in the world standings over previous world leader Joao Ricardo Vieira, who went 0-for-2 on Saturday night.
Leme’s rise back to No. 1 position is another example of the rollercoaster the 2020 World Championship race is turning into.
There had already been five lead changes atop the world standings this season prior to Leme taking over the top ranking Saturday night. If Leme holds onto the No. 1 ranking following Sunday’s conclusion of the U.S. Border Patrol Invitational, then there would be more lead changes (6) on a weekly UTB basis than there were all of last year in the regular season (five).
“This year has more guys riding really good,” Leme said with the help of Paulo Crimber translating. “Joao, Jess (Lockwood), Daylon Swearingen. Every guy. It’s a good (competition). A lot of guys are going through a good phase. They’re on a roll. They’re riding really good.”
Two-time and reigning World Champion Lockwood also remains right in the mix. The No. 3-ranked bull rider in the world standings went 2-for-2 on Saturday night to get to within 36 points of Leme.
Leme, Vieira or Lockwood could walk out of the Enterprise Center Sunday atop the world standings.
Leme has drawn Inferno (11-8, UTB) for Round 2, while Lockwood will face Soup in a Group (26-6, UTB) and Vieira will take on Western Mood (0-1, UTB).
Lockwood rode Soup in a Group for 84 points at Iron Cowboy two weeks ago.
Fans can watch the conclusion of the U.S. Border Patrol Invitational on CBS Sports Network at 8 p.m. ET and on RidePass at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Leme has now ridden Jive Turkey in back-to-back weeks. The 2017 World Finals event winner rode Jive Turkey for 89.5 points last week at the 2020 WinStar World Casino and Resort Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy.
“He’s just a great bull,” Leme said. “I watched Jess ride him two times, and I saw a lot of videos, and I knew he kind of fit my style and is the kind of bull I like to get on. Just to be able to get on him back-to-back two times, it’s just amazing, and he’s a bull you’re going to ride. I like him. He fits my style, and I know I’ll be a lot of points on him. It’s just great.”
Leme has simply been on fire this season.
He leads the PBR with a 78.3% riding average on the Unleash The Beast, and is 18-for-23 in seven UTB events.
Leme said part of his success has been just drawing some great matchups, like the two he had on Saturday night in St. Louis.
“God has been providing me just (with good bulls to) ride,” Leme said. “The bulls I kind of like to ride, fit my style, and I’m not letting go. I’m just taking the best out of the draw, and it’s been great. I think that’s got a lot to do with it, my pace right now, to be riding so great, because God’s been giving me the good draws, and I’ve been riding great. I hope it’s going to continue to roll like that.”
The last World Champion to ride over 70% for an entire season was 2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi (72.55%).
Oddly enough, Marchi – like Leme – also began that season 18-for-23.
Leme has finished runner-up in the world title race in back-to-back seasons. When Marchi won his first world title with that remarkable riding percentage, he was coming off three consecutive runner-up finishes.
Does Leme believe his pace is sustainable for all of 2020?
“Maybe. Depends on the bulls. Depends on my health. I don’t know,” Leme concluded with a smile.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko