DENVER – As Round 1 of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s (PWVT) Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show concluded on Tuesday night, Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) was victorious.  

In a field of 90 riders split across two nights of competition for the opening round, the Arizona Ridge Rider athlete’s Tuesday night matchup aboard Montana Jacket (Berg/ Coleman/ Ogden/ Hart) clinched the Round 1 win.

With the highest ride score of the entire two-day extended round at 89.5 points, the 26-year-old Brazilian earned 28 Velocity Global points for his efforts and heads into the third day of competition atop the leaderboard.

For Round 2 on Wednesday, the Top 30 riders from Round 1 will return to each face one bull. The 15 bull riders with the top combined ride scores following the first two rounds will then advance to the final championship round on Wednesday night.

Grayson Cole (New Ringold, Pennsylvania) secured second place in Round 1 courtesy of his action-packed matchup with Busted Knuckle (Bierema Rodeo Inc.) for 89 points on Monday night. In addition to sailing into Wednesday’s final round, Cole earned 18 Velocity Global points.

Texan cowboy Braden Richardson (Jasper, Texas) and Arizona’s Robbie Taylor Jr. (Chinle, Arizona) tied for third place in the round with matching 86.5-point ride scores.

On Tuesday night, Richardson was paired with Night Hustler (Wacey Hart / Hart Cattle) and was in control from the moment the chutes flew open.

While the night prior, Taylor had the Denver Coliseum crowd cheering as he triumphed over Centerfold (Double S Bull Co. / Cervi).

Richardson and Taylor each collected 16.5 Velocity Global points for their efforts.

International standout Marcelo Procopio Pereira (Rinopolis, Brazil) rounded out the Top 5 with an 86-point ride aboard his bovine opponent Mikey’s Surprise (Ogden Ranch / Hart Cattle Co.)

In addition to punching his ticket to Round 2, the Brazilian cowboy earned 15 Velocity Global points.

The Denver PBR Chute Out will continue at the National Western Stock Show on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. MST for Round 2, immediately followed by the championship round.

Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media