ARLINGTON, Texas – It’s going to take more than a wreck to keep Cassio Dias down.

The No. 1 bull rider in the Unleash The Beast World Championship standings was bucked off by Norse God in Round 3 of the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Eliminations last Saturday, suffering a back injury and withdrawing from Round 4.

While he went 2-for-3 and finished third in the Eliminations aggregate, he lost some ground to No. 2 John Crimber and had to be cleared by a back specialist if he wanted to compete at the Championship on May 18-19 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Things have progressed as hoped, and Dias is officially in the draw for Championship Rounds 1 and 2 on Saturday night.

He also has some favorable matchups.

Dias will first take on Mike’s Motive, whom he’s ridden for 90-plus points on two prior occasions—91.25 points at Stampede Days last August and 90.5 points in St. Louis in December.

In Round 2, he’ll face off against Big Chew, who he rode for 88.5 points at a Challenger Series event in Belton, Texas, last September.

Action for Rounds 1 and 2 begins on May 18 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, and then on May 19 at noon ET on CBS.

Only four riders are still mathematically in contention for the 2024 PBR World Championship: Dias, Crimber, No. 3 Eduardo Aparecido, and No. 4 Dalton Kasel.

One rider can win a maximum of 756 points in the Championship if he were to win the overall aggregate and all four rounds of competition, plus receive bonus points for four 90-point rides.

Kasel is 751.33 points behind Dias, while Aparecido is 686.33 points behind. Crimber trails by 487.5 points. The winner of the Championship aggregate, who will be crowned the World Finals event winner, will receive 400 points for that alone.

But Dias is up to the task, even after being carried off the Cowtown Coliseum dirt on a backboard. Kansas City Outlaws assistant coach Guilherme Marchi posted a video on Instagram of Dias on horseback two days ago, providing an update on his condition and mindset.

“Thanks for the prayers, thanks for all of you cheering for me,” Dias said. “I’m getting better. Let’s get prepared for the Finals and do a good job. I am still feeling some pain, but getting better every day. I’ll be doing a beautiful World Finals for you all. You are still going to see more of Cassio Dias.”

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media