BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In front of a sold-out Legacy Arena at the BJCC, Manoelito de Souza Junior (Itamira, Brazil) went a perfect 2-for-2 to win PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Birmingham on Saturday night.

The Brazilian topped Sugar Smack (UB Bucking Company) for 84 points in Round 1 to punch his ticket to the championship round. In his final out, Souza stormed out of the chutes for a round-winning 85.5 points aboard Big Red (LH Cattle Co/2T Cattle Co/Broke Spur Ranch) to catapult into the lead.

The victory netted him 121.5 Velocity Global points.

The only other rider to cover both of his animal athlete opponents was Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas), who finished second.

The cordial cowboy finished third in Round 1, riding Martini Houdini (LH Cattle Co/2T Cattle Co/Broke Spur Ranch) for 85 points.

Now in a groove, the Texan topped Buddha Man (Cross 33 Cattle/Daylon Swearingen) for 82 points in the final round to slide up to second in the event standings.

Mitchell returned home with a crucial 85 Velocity Global points.

The final spot on the podium belonged to Felipe Furlan (Sales Oliveira, Brazil), who went 1-for-2.

In the opening round, Furlan thundered out of the chutes on Milkshake (Twisted Horns Cattle Co) for an event-high 87 points.

Paired with Zeus (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd) as his final animal athlete opponent, the Brazilian initially sat tall before being unseated after a heartbreaking 7.56 seconds to end the event in third.

Furlan left Legacy Arena with 64 Velocity Global points.

Eric Henrique Domingos (Perola, Brazil) also went 1-for-2 and finished fourth.

After riding Gunner (UTC/Sellers/Hurst Ranch & Rodeo LLC) for 85.5 points in Round 1, the Brazilian was bested by Donuts (Harley Joe Cattle Co.) in 2.87 seconds in the final round.

Domingos garnered 39 Velocity Global points for his efforts Saturday evening.

Rounding out the Top 5 was Max Castro (Chiquimula, Guatemala).

The Guatemalan cowboy made the 8 for 84.5 points on Sir Galahad (CIL Cattle CO) in Round 1 to secure his spot in the final round.

In his final out, Castro initially sat tall atop Blonde Bomber (Lonnie & Amy Austin) but was thrown to the dirt after 4.83 seconds.

Castro’s 1-for-2 performance earned him 33 Velocity Global points.

Velocity Global points contribute to the Velocity Global Standings and determine which new riders are added to the elite Unleash The Beast throughout the season. The Top 3 Velocity Global riders who have not already qualified are also invited to the PBR World Finals in May.

In the bull pen, Alakazam (Julian Cattle #2) was marked 44.5 points for his Round 1 buckoff of Caylan Biddy (Velma, Oklahoma) to win the Bull of the Event title.

While the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour bucked in Birmingham and Portland, Oregon, the elite Unleash The Beast takes over the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, in New York City.

PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour
PBR Birmingham
Legacy Arena at the BJCC – Birmingham, Alabama
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Event Aggregate-Event Points)
1. Manoelito de Souza Junior, 84-85.5-169.50-121.5 Points.
2. Ezekiel Mitchell, 85-82-167.00-85 Points.
3. Felipe Furlan, 87-0-87.00-64 Points.
4. Eric Henrique Domingos, 85.5-0-85.50-39 Points.
5. Max Castro, 84.5-0-84.50-33 Points.
6. Grayson Cole, 84-0-84.00-21.1666 Points.
(tie). Bruno Carvalho, 84-0-84.00-21.1666 Points.
(tie). Carlos Garcia, 84-0-84.00-21.1666 Points.
9. Jean Carlos de Souza, 83.5-0-83.50-15 Points.
10. Dawson Gleaves, 82.5-0-82.50-12 Points.
11. Cole Trivette, 81-0-81.00-9 Points.
(tie). Alex Junior da Silva, 81-0-81.00-9 Points.
13. Alex Cantoral, 73-0-73.00
14. Lucas Martins Costa, 36-0-36.00
Michael Lane, 0-0-0.00
João Paulo Fernandes, 0-0-0.00
Dustin Herman, 0-0-0.00
Cody McCandless, 0-0-0.00
Brandon Chambers, 0-0-0.00
Wyatt Rogers, 0-0-0.00
Dakota Warnken, 0-0-0.00
Eli Vastbinder, 0-0-0.00
Afonso Quintino, 0-0-0.00
Junio Quaresima, 0-0-0.00
Alex Jenks, 0-0-0.00
Cody Teel, 0-0-0.00
Caylan Biddy, 0-0-0.00
Junior Patrik Souza, 0-0-0.00
Hayden Harris, 0-0-0.00
Ednélio Almeida, 0-0-0.00
Miguel de Jesus, 0-0-0.00
Trey Benton III, 0-0-0.00
Marcus Mast, 0-0-0.00
Lucas Fideles Souza, 0-0-0.00
Jack Bates, 0-0-0.00
Darren Wagler, 0-0-0.00

Photo courtesy of Andre Silva/Bull Stock Media