PUEBLO, Colo. – As the final Friday night session ahead of the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Eliminations dawned inside of American Bank Center Arena, the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals welcomed 45 of the world’s most talented bull riders to Corpus Christi, Texas, for the endgame shootout.
From 18-year-old phenoms to 48-year-old World Champions, the pack featured a unique mix of proven PWVT veterans, 15 Unleash The Beast regulars and several other prospective, up-and-coming cowboys.
Nobody, however, was able to match the epic efforts of No. 2 John Crimber, who bucked a cut above the competition in Round 1 on his way to furthering his already impressive rookie resume.
Participating in just his second outright PWVT event of his budding career, with his first appearance coming in Denver, Colorado, earlier this year during the historic National Western Stock Show, the first-year standout recorded his first-ever expansion tour conversion Friday night on his way to capturing his first PWVT round win.
Dancing with Spotted Demon while matching the animal athlete’s every move, Crimber demonstrated his control the entire way.
With his father Paulo Crimber, Head Coach for the Florida Freedom of the PBR Camping World Team Series, cheering him on the whole way, the youngster knew he had a chance at the top spot.
Spurring his opponent to gain some additional points, Crimber showed off his skills while reminding the tour why he hasn’t spent much time around these parts despite just becoming eligible to ride professionally some nine months back:
Because he’s already one of the world’s elite, top-ranked riders.
Really, he pretty much has been since storming into the premier series landscape back in November.
And with only No. 1 Cassio Dias in his way next weekend when Unleash The Beast begins its season-ending showdown inside Cowtown Coliseum, he’s easily one of the biggest threats to upset his fellow rookie runaway in securing the elusive gold buckle.
RELATED: Teenage phenom John Crimber wins Round 1 of 2024 PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals in Corpus Christi, Texas
Entering the weekend ranked No. 37 overall in the Velocity Global standings, each of his 258.5 Velocity Global points had been earned during various PBR Stockyards Showcase events throughout the season (weekly Touring Pro Division events held inside Cowtown Coliseum on Thursday nights).
With the Top 40-ranked riders in the Velocity Global standings earning a spot in this weekend’s showcase in Corpus Christi, Crimber found himself on the outside looking in, as he’s spent a majority of his season concentrating on his UTB efforts.
But knowing he wanted to qualify for the PWVT Finals, he gave it his all last Thursday during the final Stockyards Showcase gathering of the season, eventually capturing a big win to get himself above the cutline.
“God’s blessed me with the ability to ride bulls and I can’t thank him enough. I just have to keep riding bulls and staying on. We have World Finals next week and I’m really excited about making my first World Finals, I just have to keep it rolling,” Crimber shared on the RidePass on Pluto TV broadcast.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to make both of them the same year and this year. I was in the back of the pack … I think I was 47th and there was one more Stockyards Showcase and I went over there to get some points and was able to qualify.”
When the opening round came to a close, Crimber climbed atop the shark cage in celebratory fashion before peeling back the layers.
For as easy as he’s made it look throughout his next-level rookie campaign, even some late-season tune-up outs can go a long way for the world title hopeful.
And after gaining 48 Velocity Global points, he climbed his way up to the No. 24 spot ahead of Championship Saturday.
“It was a little rough in the beginning, kind of fighting through some injuries but it’s been going pretty good,” he shared.
“This is a good confidence boost for us and we’re just going to keep riding bulls.”
Returning to the arena on Saturday with an extra twinkle in his eye, Crimber reminded the pack he wasn’t attending this thing for fun.
This was a business trip.
Knocking down his Round 2 matchup with flying colors, the talent went on to best Kephart’s Solomon for an impressive 88.25 points as the rookie doubled down in Corpus Christi.
Of course, with several riders advancing to the championship round with matching, 2-for-2 bids, the youngster knew he'd need to finish strong should he want to claim the final PWVT event title of the season.
Exactly what he did as he exited his short round showdown.
Logging an 86.75-point conversion atop Evil Intentions, Crimber made it clear he'd be the hottest rider on the circuit heading into next weekend's 2024 PBR World Finals.
Now, with just over 100-some hours separating Crimber from his final, ultimate goal, will the surging superstar be able to make a run in catching the runaway Dias?
Be sure to grab your tickets to the epic postseason finale and we'll see you in Fort Worth!
Photo courtesy of Andre Silva/Bull Stock Media
