What to Watch For: No. 31 Jose Vitor Leme nearing return to chutes as title race intensifies
With the 2025 PBR World Finals a mere month away, will the two-time World Champion give it a go in Sioux Falls?
By James Youness
FORT WORTH, Texas – When you’re a two-time World Champion, two-time PBR Teams MVP, father, husband and holder of many other titles, it can be hard to travel with the ever-shuffling Unleash The Beast tour during each and every stop as it parades the world’s top bull riders around the country.
Yet, Jose Vitor Leme has seemed to make it work for several seasons now, reminding fans he’s earned the nickname of “Champ” for good reason.
The only thing harder than pulling off the “go, go, go” schedule was sitting at home watching his co-workers keep the show going while he healed up this season.
The exact scenario the Brazilian is looking to put, and keep, in the rearview mirror this weekend.
Having spent a good couple months away from the circuit this season as he recovered from a hand surgery sustained back in January, it just hasn’t been the same without the high-flying act.
And for as invested as he is in supporting his Austin Gamblers year-round, he was inside The Pit last weekend supporting the defending 2024 PBR Teams Champions as he realized his return was nearing.
“These guys, they did the job, you know? It’s a great team and a good family that we’re building together,” Leme shared dirtside with Kate Harrison via the RidePass on Pluto TV stream.
“The Austin Gamblers, they’re doing great. I’m so happy to be with them and helping them out and this is a big win today for us.”
He may not have been donning his matching vest and chaps, but anytime you’ve got a legend on your side, or in your ear, you’ll welcome him back 11 times out of 10. In any capacity.
Hell, after attempting some practice bulls last week, there was an outside shot he was going to suit up and ensure his team forced a meaningful third game of Land.com Texas Cup dramatics.
Thankfully for Head Coach Michael Gaffney and company, the Gamblers were able to take care of business, thanks to Ramon de Lima, meaning they should have Leme back in the fold alongside the likes of Dalton Kasel, Sage Steele Kimzey, Kaique Pacheco and Lucas Divino April 18 when the best-of-three series concludes in Nampa, Idaho.
But it’s Leme’s return to the premier series, itself, which we’re celebrating during this weekend’s “What to Watch For,” feature.
The 28-year-old is worth keeping an eye on anytime he’s in the draw.
But after such a break – which may have allowed any other lingering bumps and bruises some additional time to get right – we have to assume we’ll be greeted with a healthy, hungry version of the two-time Champ.
Having last competed more than two months ago in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he tied for fourteenth place before hanging ‘em up for a while. Other than Thanksgiving-esque win in Ontario, California, and a No. 13 finish in New York City, the imperfect showcase in Pittsburgh somehow represents his third-best appearance of 2025.
Which means he’s got plenty of work to do here down the home stretch if he wants to add some depth to his already-abbreviated season.
At this point, we have to rule out a (successful) late-season run for the defending 2024 PBR World Champion Cassio Dias, as the Kansas City Outlaws standout has just 14.5 UTB points to his name, despite rumors of his potential return stirring.
However, Leme, one of twelve men who have already claimed an event title in 2025, has racked up a cool 200.5 UTB points during his early-season ventures, meaning he’s within 746.5 UTB points back from No. 1 Kasel.
More importantly, he’s only 150.5 UTB points behind No. 20 Dener Barbosa, which would suggest he’s got a real shot at qualifying for this year’s season-culminating showdowns in Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas.
With just four regular season showcases separating Leme and the pack from the 2025 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast, Leme would need to get on a Kasel-like streak in order to mathematically make a run at a Top 10 spot before the postseason.
But if he can wiggle his way into striking distance ahead of the Eliminations sessions inside Cowtown Coliseum May 8-11, there’s a chance he won’t need to mess around with the Ride For Redemption stage.
At the same time, if that’s the path “Champ” has to endure in order for a shot to finish a run inside AT&T Stadium, so be it.
Either way, said run could begin as soon as Friday night!
Knowing he's 12-for-19 all-time in Sioux Falls suggests he'd be hard-pressed to skip out.
Fans should stay tuned for Round 1’s starting lineups and draw article to see if the Brazilian is set to return and should be sure to check out all of this weekend’s action LIVE and FREE beginning Friday night!
This weekend’s PREMIER Bankcard PBR Sioux Falls presented by Cooper Tires in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is set to begin Friday, April 4 at 7:45 p.m. CT as the best bull riders in the world prepare to duke it out inside Denny Sanford PREMIER Center throughout the three-day showcase.
The action will continue Saturday, April 5 at 7:45 p.m. CT with the second round before concluding Sunday, April 6 at 1:45 p.m. CT via Round 3, followed by the short go, as riders look to capture crucial UTB points in the race for the 2025 PBR World Championship.
CBS Television Network will broadcast the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by Camping World, featuring the Nashville Stampede and Carolina Cowboys Sunday, April 6, at Noon ET.
Fans can keep an eye on PBR.com and @PBR social media channels for the latest news, scores, wrecks and more!
