PUEBLO, Colo. – There’s nothing fun about sitting out.
Especially when watching on as your friends continue to engage in, and excel at, the sport you love.
RELATED: Unleash The Beast Game Notes: Albuquerque 2024
Even more so when the man you edged out by one ride score to secure your second-consecutive PBR Teams MVP honors just some six months ago is lighting the tour, and record books, on fire.
The very records you set as a blazing hot rookie not many moons ago.
Thankfully for two-time World Champion in Jose Vitor Leme, the only thing he needs to be concerned with right now is his opening round showdown with Big Worm, as the veteran prepares to return to competition for the first time in five weeks after dealing with a lower-body injury for quite some time.
Between the lore-forward event itself (which not only celebrates a PBR legend in Ty Murray and all he’s done for the bull riding and greater Western sports world, but provides some additional prizes and UTB points as the final PBR Major of the season) and the fact that the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast are but a shocking seven weeks away (set to welcome tens of thousands of bull riding fans to both Cowtown Coliseum and AT&T Stadium May 9-19), Leme is far from the only rider who realizes what’s required in this unique season.
While the season-culminating format may be a bit different this time around, the fact that you need to be well-positioned for the gauntlet event via riding bulls here during the stretch run has not changed one bit. And, if Leme has any say about it, that’s exactly his plan, beginning Friday night.
Occupying the No. 27 spot despite competing in just four total events this season (finishing within the Top 13 of each, including fourth, 13th, 11th and most recently his sixth-place showing in Los Angeles, the last time he was able to compete on the premier series), Leme brings his 6-for-8 record on the season into The Pit where he’ll look to begin what would be quite the historic climb up the standings in attempting to chase down, well, his spitting image from just a few seasons ago, No. 1 Cassio Dias.
RELATED: Who can catch Cassio Dias, and how?
Surely, it would be quite the feat if Leme was able to erase the 883.83-point deficit which Dias continues to enjoy. But … if there’s anybody who’s capable of, quite literally, setting and resetting the bar, it’s Leme.
With plenty of bull power expected to be in attendance during the final four-round showdown of the season, including the likes of No. 1 Man Hater, No. 2 UTZ BesTex Legend, No. 3 Flyin Wired, No. 6 UTZ BesTex Legend and beyond, Leme will have all of the matchups he could imagine awaiting in the short round. And when you consider the talented cowboy has been north of 86 in five of his six conversions on the year, he’s got plenty of early-round ability to punch his ticket to this weekend’s championship round.
With 150+ UTB points and $100,000+ on the line for whoever can put on the grandest of shows inside the intimately legendary venue, a favorable showing this weekend would go a long way in helping to propel the two-time World Champion closer to where he’d like to be heading into this year’s battle for the buckle.
Leme is far from the only rider who’s experienced an injury bug this season. He’s also one of many veterans who find themselves ranked a bit lower than usual.
Just ask a fellow World Champion in No. 18 Daylon Swearingen, who’s also set to rejoin the pack atop the chutes after missing last weekend’s PBR Little Rock with some shoulder soreness.
Sailing in a similar boat, No. 26 Kaique Pacheco has been able to stay within the Top 30 since overcoming a lower-body injury of his own. But at just 8-for-23 (34.78%) on the season, his presence down south in mid-May is also technically in question.
Or even three-time World Champion No. 36 Silvano Alves, who’s avoided bumps and bruises for the most part, but hasn’t enjoyed as many qualified rides as we’re used to seeing. Competing this weekend courtesy of one of his final World Champion exemptions just days after being left unprotected by his Nashville Stampede PBR Teams squad, the 36-year-old needs to turn back the clock in Albuquerque if he wants to even qualify for this year’s World Finals. And we can all agree, it sure wouldn’t be the same without the smiling Silvano.
Which, when you consider the landscape of fiery rookie competitors and up-and-coming talent that’s invaded Unleash The Beast in 2024, it both makes sense as to why some of the fan favorites have struggled a bit within the standings while shining some light on just how electric these final seven events will be!
Fans preparing to join the world’s best bull riders as they head south for the most dramatic two weeks on tour should be sure to grab their tickets to the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast!
And for supporters in the greater Southwest debating on checking out the action this weekend, grab your tickets and head down to the show or be sure to tune in beginning Friday night as the best bull riders prepare to put on a SHOW!
With Unleash The Beast preparing to invade The Pit Friday night during the 17th event of the 2024 Unleash The Beast campaign March 22-24 during the final of three PBR Majors, let’s take a look at who’s drawing into the lineup during the PBR Albuquerque Ty Murray Invitational:
ROUND 1 MATCHUPS
Alex Cerqueira vs. Bandito Bug
Ederson Santos vs. Wild Card
*Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Cy Young
Cort McFadden vs. Huckleberry
Kaique Pacheco vs. Chupacabra
Felipe Furlan vs. Mr. Nasty
Thiago Salgado vs. Hard Candy
*Dener Barbosa vs. Black Gold
Nick Tetz vs. Where’s the Whiskey
Silvano Alves vs. Big Hooch
Boudreaux Campbell vs. Umm
Conner Halverson vs. I’m Your Daddy
Wingson Henrique da Silva vs. Sauced Up
Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Norse God
Daylon Swearingen vs. Bugatti
*Andrew Alvidrez vs. Dana White’s Twisted Steel
*Jesse Petri vs. Punchy Pete
Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Bruised Ego
JaCauy Hale vs. I’m Legit Too
Joao Lucas Campos vs. Border Crisis
*Bob Mitchell vs. Highwire
Mason Taylor vs. Renegade
Ezekiel Mitchell vs. Smooth Steel
Leonardo Castro vs. Spice
Vitor Losnake vs. Younts Brody’s Pet
Ednelio Almeida vs. Blackstone
Trace Redd vs. Devil’s Revenge
Kaiden Loud vs. Sneaky Situation
Jose Vitor Leme vs. Big Worm
Julio Cesar Marques vs. Strong Arm
Cody Jesus vs. Bamboozle
Koltin Hevalow vs. Rustic Pearl
Alan de Souza vs. Jersey Tuff
Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Sky’s The Limit
Caden Bunch vs. Jersey Mike
Brady Fielder vs. Ghost Face
Eduardo Aparecido vs. Centerfold
Dalton Kasel vs. Horn Dog
John Crimber vs. Whiskey Trip
*Cassio Dias vs. Mahan
* denotes a rematch
OUT BECAUSE OF INJURY/OTHER
Austin Richardson (Injury)
Sage Kimzey (Injury)
Jess Lockwood (Injury)
Clay Guiton (Injury)
Dawson Branton (Injury)
Chase Outlaw (Injury)
Marcus Mast (Injury)
Derek Kolbaba (Injury)
Colten Fritzlan (Injury)
ROUND 1 REMATCHES
Andrew Alvidrez vs. Dana White’s Twisted Steel (88 points in Las Vegas, Nevada)
Bob Mitchell vs. Highwire (84.75 points in Houston, Texas)
Cassio Dias vs. Mahan (3.37 seconds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 3.47 seconds in Ridgedale, Missouri)
Dener Barbosa vs. Black Gold (3.16 seconds in Kansas City, Missouri)
Jesse Petri vs. Punchy Pete (2.6 seconds in New York City, New York)
Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Cy Young (1.88 seconds in Houston, Texas)
NO. 1 CASSIO DIAS BRINGS 413.5-POINT LEAD INTO ALBUQUERQUE
As the first and only rider to surpass the 1,000-point mark as he continues to sit atop the 2024 Unleash The Beast World Championship standings, No. 1 Cassio Dias is set to enter this weekend’s showdown in The Pit with a whopping 413.5-point advantage over No. 2 John Crimber. Dias, Crimber and No. 3 Dalton Kasel had been taking turns, ebbing and flowing, the past few weeks, with the latter two riders outpacing Dias, who’s been dealing with an injury. However, the tides turned a bit back in favor of the world’s top-ranked rider, who went on to capture his fifth event title of the season last weekend in Little Rock, Arkansas. The only rider to manage a perfect 3-for-3 performance as the talented animal athletes put on quite the performance, Dias once again looked every bit of the electric cowboy we’ve all come to know and love.
Exiting showdowns with T-Wrecks (83 points) and Tulsa Time (89.25 points) en route to picking up the Round 2 win and securing his spot in yet another championship round, Dias completed the sweep by posting an event-high and tour-leading sixth 90-pointer. Paired against Dark Thoughts, the Brazilian talent handled his opponent with ease, scored 90.5 points for his 8 seconds of perfection. With both Kasel and Crimber failing to cover either of their bulls last weekend, Dias nearly doubled his lead in Little Rock en route to reassuring fans around the world his health is improving, as are his gold buckle odds! And with some extra points, and glory, available to contests this weekend in Albuquerque (more points, as it’s the final PBR Major of the season, and some additional lore, as Ty Murray and his event prizes are both among rider favorites).
Set to dance with Mahan on Friday night, a bull which has a perfect 2-0 record against Dias, dispatching the talent at a pair of PBR Camping World Team Series events in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Ridgedale, Missouri, the tour’s top thrill-provider will look to keep his ride streak alive. And who knows, maybe event pick up what would be a circuit-best sixth title!?
After starting his weekend Thursday night with a big win at the PBR Stockyards Showcase within the elegant Cowtown Coliseum, Dias is already warmed up and ready to ride!
RELATED: By the Numbers: Unstoppable Cassio Dias continues historic campaign with win No. 5
NO. 11 CODY JESUS RETURNS TO ACTION, RESUMES WORLD TITLE CHASE
In case you hadn’t heard, the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast are set to invade Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, May 9-19 for two weeks of Western-forward entertainment (including the electric Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo, May 17 inside AT&T Stadium). So, when riders like Jose Vitor Leme, Boudreaux Campbell, Daylon Swearingen and even No. 11 Cody Jesus are returning to the tour from their various, respective, injury-related absences, it means one thing: It’s time to ride. An event-favorite (and generally popular anywhere in the southwestern United States), the Window Rock, Arizona, native is set to return to action for the first time in a month after last participating down in Jacksonville, Florida, in late February. Tying both John Crimber and Dalton Kasel for the opening round honors, Jesus has been right there competing with the best of them when he’s healthy.
But after exiting the contest just 1-for-3 overall, albeit still able to secure a ninth-place finish, he opted into some extended rest in hoping to get his groins in a healthier state. The very injury which has plagued him for quite some time, now. Primed to dance with Bamboozle Friday night, Jesus will look to pick things up in the ride column as he attempts to close the 703.83-point gap between he and No. 1 Dias.
FOLLOW ALONG
Marking the 17th event of the 2024 Unleash The Beast season, the three-day, four-round showcase in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is set to begin Friday, March 22 at 7:45 p.m. MST, with Round 1 airing live via RidePass on Pluto TV. Round 2’s action will begin Saturday, March 23 at 6:45 p.m. MST, and will also air live via RidePass on Pluto TV.
All of championship Sunday’s action, which includes the third long round, followed by the short go, is slated to air on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, March 17 at 6 p.m. MST.
RELATED: Where to Watch: Albuquerque
Fans can also catch all three rounds of action on the TUDN Spanish broadcast, with Round 1 set to air on Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. MST, Round 2 primed to air on Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m. MST and all of championship Sunday’s outs airing on Monday, March 25 at 6 p.m. MST.
Fans can stay tuned to PBR.com and PBR social media channels throughout the weekend for the latest scores, wrecks, injury updates and beyond as Unleash The Beast prepares to invade The Pit March 22-24!
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
