LAS VEGAS – It’s not the FIRST season that we’ve seen PBR Camping World Team Series organizations scout, and eventually sign, some of the top riders from the PBR Challenger Series.

Ok, it’s the second, but the point that the circuit is chalk-full of promising talent still stands.

After all, the tour was created to introduce and familiarize up-and-coming riders with the bright lights of the business.

So, when the Nashville Stampede reached out earlier this summer interested in signing the tour’s standings leader, Alan de Souza had a choice to make.

Would he forego chasing a Challenger Series Championship title and join forces with Justin McBride and team to chase the world’s largest gold buckle?

Thankfully, he didn’t settle for one or other.

RELATED: Nashville Stampede’s Alan de Souza crowned 2023 PBR Challenger Series Champion

“When the invitation came, I didn’t have to think twice about it,” Souza admitted.

“I always thought that I would fit well with this team. Watching last season and at the beginning of this season, I thought I would fit in, I liked the people there and decided that I wanted to be a part of this team.”

Competing in two tours at the same time can quickly add up to quite the workload for any cowboy.

Add in the fact that he’s surpassed the three-decade mark and it really puts his gauntlet of a season into perspective. But age is just one of the many tangibles which factor into a bull ride.

At the end of the day, it’s still about 8 seconds.

“I feel like I’m 20 years old like them,” Souza shared, referencing the youthful pack of competitors he’s battled against this summer.

“I don’t feel any different. I’m positive that I’m going to continue to compete for five more years because I feel very, very good.”

Landing in Las Vegas just less than seven hours before the Challenger Series Championship was set to begin inside South Point Casino, it wasn’t all sunny skies and slot machines for the tour’s best rider.

“It was very hard being here today because I’m having some family problems back in Brazil. In Jesus’ name, everything will be alright, but I thank God that I could be here tonight,” he said.

“I was very sad because of the situation. I love my father and it’s not good seeing him dealing with this situation. I came here very sad, but with this win, with this buckle, with this championship, now I feel recovered. My confidence has recovered, my happiness has recovered and I know that I can do a lot better this weekend because of the time here tonight.”

Dedicating the win to his father, the talented Brazilian was relieved that he got the job done. But expects more from himself.

Ending the night 0-for-1 overall, dispatched by Blown Away in 6.29 seconds, Souza watched on as budding superstar John Crimber recorded a flashy 89-point dance aboard Huckleberry in the opening round.

Watching the 18-year-old steadily eat into his lead atop the Challenger Global standings over the past few months has served as a bit of a motivating factor for Souza. Watching Crimber attempt his short-round bull, though, elicited a different set of emotions.

“I’m very happy because I’ve been fighting to get this buckle,” Souza shared.

“I’ve been fighting for a while to win this championship and I finally got it. I came here to do my best, to do a very good job (tonight). I couldn’t do it, but thank God, I was still the winner of the championship.”

Walking into opening night of the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series Championship, he’ll be providing some immediate momentum for Silvano Alves, Kaiden Loud and the entire Stampede locker room.

Many of whom were in attendance Thursday night supporting their teammate.

“I’m very proud to represent the Nashville Stampede and I hope I can ride for them for another five years until I retire, Souza concluded.

“I want to continue to represent this team and help them win the Championship.”

He’ll get a shot to do just that Friday night, as the No. 7 Nashville Stampede take on the No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom inside T-Mobile Arena Oct. 20.

Primed to compete against Sneaky Situation during the game’s first out, will Souza be able to help the defending Champions double down in the City of Lights?

Friday night’s coverage of the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series Championship will begin at 7:30 p.m. PDT with the Inside the PBR Teams Championship Pre-Show Presented by Tractor Supply Co., immediately followed by opening remarks and Game 1 at 8 p.m. PDT.

Fans can stay tuned to PBR.com and PBR social media channels for the latest scores, news, updates and beyond as the league prepares to crown its second champion on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Photo courtesy Andre Silva/Bull Stock Media