If you’re like us, you were waiting with bated breath for the returns of 2022 World Champions Jose Vitor Leme and Woopaa. The moment finally came in Duluth, and it did NOT disappoint. Plus, Marcelo Procopio Pereira won the first UTB event of his career, Cooper Davis juuuuust made it to Duluth in time, and more. Miss a moment of the action this weekend? Here’s what happened around the PBR.
On the Unleash The Beast…
The biggest winner of the weekend was Marcelo Procopio Pereira, who, thanks to a 3-for-3 performance and the highest ride score of his career, won his first premier series event in Duluth.
Two-time reigning World Champion Jose Vitor Leme was hot on his heels in his season debut, going 2-for-3 and finishing third overall in his return from injury.
However, Leme’s debut wasn’t without issues, as he dislocated his free-hand thumb in Round 1.
In other injury news, 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco will be out 3-6 weeks after separating his left shoulder.
Leme’s partner in history and 2022 YETI World Champion Bull Woopaa also debuted in Duluth, immediately reminding us all why he’s the champ with a 46.5-point bull score.
2016 World Champion Cooper Davis’s journey to Duluth involved a change in flight plans, a two-hour drive and an arrival time of just 15 minutes before rider introductions began.
Brennon Eldred delivered his first 90-point ride in more than 16 months to take the Round 1 victory.
While Joao Ricardo Vieira’s ride streak to begin the season has come to an end, he started off 8-for-8 – the seventh-best streak to start a season in PBR history.
Meanwhile, on the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour…
Matt Triplett won the Spokane Classic and improved to No. 12 in the world standings as he attempts to return to the premier series.
In Greenville, South Carolina, it was Marcos Gloria who emerged victorious.
Through the lens with BullStockMedia
Check out the best photos from day one and day two in Duluth.
Social spotlight
This is what it’s all about.
View this post on Instagram
It’s been a wild two years.
View this post on Instagram
Love that for him!
View this post on Instagram
Looking ahead
The Unleash The Beast rolls into Sacramento, California, for the PBR Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic, presented by Bass Pro Shops, on Jan. 28-30 (RidePass on Pluto TV on Jan. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET and Jan. 29 at 9:30 p.m. ET; CBS Sports Network on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. ET; international feeds on Facebook on Jan. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET, Jan. 29 at 9:30 p.m. ET and Jan. 30 at 4:45 p.m. ET).
The Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour heads to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the PBR Tractor Supply Co. Classic on Jan. 28-29 (RidePass on Pluto TV on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. ET and Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. ET), and to Jacksonville, Florida, for the Jacksonville Invitational on Jan. 29.