RIDGEDALE, Mo. – Jose Vitor Leme grimaced in pain and let out a grunt late Friday night at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena as he hung his bull rope onto a side fence.
The two-time World Champion and Austin Gamblers captain had just ridden Schott in the Dark for 88.5 points, but it did not matter for Austin as the team was already on the way to its fourth consecutive loss with every rider before Leme bucking off.
Leme is returning to competition from three broken ribs he sustained earlier this month to try and right the Austin ship here at Thunder Days. The Gamblers (10-10) have struggled mightily since Leme’s injuries occurred over Labor Day weekend (1-6) and have lost seven of its past eight overall.
The 26-year-old is not hiding the fact he still is not 100%, but he believes he has to ride because his team is not succeeding without him.
Leme did not even attempt a practice bull before making the decision to return this weekend. It is the first time in his career he has returned to the arena without getting on a practice bull following an injury.
“Everybody knows it’s not 100% healed yet, maybe 85%,” Leme said. “You know when you don’t feel the pain, but it’s still hurts, it’s uncomfortable. I’ve been trying so hard to push my body to try to feel pain, feel something bad that way I can see if I’m able to ride, but I don’t feel anything when I’ve been moving my body. I was tired of being on the sidelines and watching my team. When I got hurt, we were in the first position. Two events later, I was out, and we’re fourth. I want to try to help my team, that’s why I’m here, I’m here to help the Gamblers win.”
Leme’s ride on Friday night in Austin’s 177.25-88.5 loss to Texas (8-12, Thunder Days 1-0) helped him moved back into the No. 1 spot in the PBR Team Series MVP race, but Leme is solely focused on making sure his team is No. 1 by season’s end.
RELATED: MVP standings
Reigning World Champion Daylon Swearingen (Carolina) is only 11.25 points behind Leme in the MVP standings, but he is set to miss a second straight game as he is pursuing the $100,000 King of the North title in Minot, North Dakota, on Saturday night. Swearingen is leading the race, and is sitting third overall in the event with a 2-for-2 start in Minot.
The Gamblers have been focused on trying to improve in a multitude of ways. The team continues to train during the week with Leme at his ranch, while General Manager JJ Gottsch continues to search for free agents, opposing team’s practice squads and the trade market to see if there are upgrades available.
Earlier this month, Austin acquired Ramon de Lima in a trade with Carolina to give the team another veteran lefty to pair with Leme.
Leme is 13-for-18, while the rest of his teammates are 23-for-88 (26.14%).
The captain reaffirmed his confidence in his teammates on Friday afternoon.
Austin takes on the “Hot Boys” Oklahoma Freedom (12-8, Thunder Days 1-0) on Saturday night in the Ozarks (8:45 p.m. ET RidePass on Pluto TV).
Leme will matchup against Patches (14-3, all levels) in the closer role.
“I feel good, so excited for this event because it’s a different atmosphere being outside. I’ve been doing good on this and can’t wait to be back again,” Leme concluded. “It’s one day ahead, one round ahead, so I believe in all of these guys. I believe we have the talent to get there to that first position.”
SATURDAY GAME SCHEDULE (8:45 p.m. ET)
Nashville (5-14-1, Thunder Days 0-1) vs. Missouri (10-10, Thunder Days 0-1)*
Oklahoma (12-8, Thunder Days 1-0) vs. Austin (10-10, Thunder Days 0-1)
Texas (8-12, Thunder Days 1-0) vs. Kansas City (8-12, Thunder Days 1-0)
Carolina (13-7, Thunder Days 1-0) vs. Arizona Ridge Riders (11-8-1, Thunder Days 0-1)
*CBS Game of the Week | Airs Sunday at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media