Facing the cutline in Salt Lake City, Aparecido’s veteran poise earns him critical win
Entering the weekend at No. 37 in the standings, Eduardo Aparecido secured a desperately needed win to improve to No. 18.
By Darci Miller
SALT LAKE CITY – Last season, it was all about the rookies, with the likes of Cassio Dias and John Crimber dominating the world title race.
But this season belongs to the veterans.
Not only has a rookie yet to win an event on the 2025 Unleash The Beast, but some of the locker room’s most experienced members have taken event buckles.
Lucas Divino (31, who made his UTB debut in 2018) has won two events, his first since 2020. Derek Kolbaba (28, who made his UTB debut in 2015) won his first event since 2017. Luciano De Castro (28, who made his UTB debut in 2017) won his first event since 2018.
Even two-time World Champion Jose Vitor Leme (28, who made his UTB debut in 2017) got in on the party, winning his first event in nearly two years.
At the PBR Salt Lake City, 34-year-old Eduardo Aparecido joined the club, claiming his first event win of 2025 with a 3-for-3 performance.
“This is hard for veteran guys like me, (Joao Ricardo Vieira), some guys because healthy, young, fresh guys ride,” Aparecido said. “But for me, I need to push every day, to work out, for my body, for everything, to ride like the young guys.”
Last season, you wouldn’t have known Aparecido was one of the elder statesmen of the locker room. Now 34 years old, he finished the 2024 season ranked No. 3 in the world – right behind rookies Dias and Crimber – and notched two event wins in the process.
2025, however, has been a different story. Coming into Salt Lake City, Aparecido was ranked No. 37 – below the cutline. He desperately needed a strong showing in Utah to remain on the UTB.
“It’s scary for me because I faced the cutline before, went to Velocity, and came back to Unleash The Beast,” Aparecido said. “It’s sometimes scary because I don’t like having to do that. I like being up, you know? But God has a plan every day for my life.”
Aparecido started the season with a fourth-place finish at the PBR Tucson, followed by two Top-10 finishes in Ontario, California, and St. Louis. However, he hurt his elbow and struggled through December and January, going just 4-for-15.
Last week in Sacramento, California, Aparecido went 0-for-3. Whatever God had planned, he was going to do whatever he could to course-correct.
“Last week, I buck off three bulls,” he said. “When I’m back home, I practice on some bulls because I need to ride bulls because this event, I’m on the cutline. But I feel blessed and very happy to win this event.”
Aparecido got things going in Round 1 with 87 points on Off The Tracks. He returned on Saturday night to ride Buckaroo for 86.5 points, entering the championship round in first place and with the first pick in the draft.
He selected Ricky Vaughn, and the two teamed up for 90.25 points and the event win.
“This is a great bull,” Aparecido said before grinning. “My son, every day, says, ‘Hey dad, you need to ride Ricky Vaughn.’ Today, this was for my son. Thank God for having this opportunity to ride this bull today. I’m very blessed for winning this event.”
With the event win, Aparecido skyrocketed to No. 18 in the Unleash The Beast standings – well clear of the cutline. He’s 341 points behind No. 1 Brady Fielder but just 47.33 points behind No. 10 Sandro Batista.
Fast Eddy can climb the standings fast, and he heads into next weekend’s Ariat PBR Indianapolis, presented by Cooper Tires, with all the momentum in the world. Action in Indianapolis begins Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on RidePass, YouTube, X and the PBR app.
For now, Aparecido will enjoy the spoils of his victory and the knowledge that he’s safely ensconced on the UTB.
“This is the best,” he said with a grin, holding up the wooden box containing his Montana Silversmiths event buckle. “Sometimes I’m blessed to win an event because I like a new box.”
