May 8, 2023

Behind the Lens: Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals

During the last weekend of action prior to the 2023 PBR World Finals: Unleash the Beast, set to invade Fort Worth, Texas, May 12-21, the bull riding world saw Josh Frost crowned the 2023 Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Champion Saturday evening inside American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Despite competing in just 11 events to end year the with the most Velocity Global points, the 27-year-old held off No. 2 Claudio Montanha Jr. by logging an 86.75-point ride atop Simp in Round 2. Finishing the contest tied for sixth place, the Randlett, Utah, native earned 55 Velocity Global points to seal the deal and earn a berth at this weekend’s finale.

Recording his first event on U.S. soil, it was Joao Lucas Campos who captured the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals event title, also clinching a spot in this weekend’s World Finals. Going 2-for-3 overall, it was an 87.5-point ride aboard Homegrown in the second round, paired with an 88-point qualified ride in the short go aboard White Face, which earned the Brazilian native the win during his inaugural stateside competition.

Ignoring time itself and staying dedicated to his craft, 47-year-old Ednei Caminhas produced a runner-up result after besting Big Kiwi for 85.75 points in the opening round, followed by a triumphant finish paired against Feeling Dangerous in Round 2, which was good for an 87-point mark. After setting the record as the oldest cowboy to complete at World Finals last season, he will miss the year-end showdown after finishing the year ranked No. 63 on Unleash the Beast.

Rounding out the podium, 2022 PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz, who accepted an international invite to the PWVT finale, took advantage of his opportunity by recording a third-place finish. Starting things off with an encouraging 87.25-point effort stop Chain Breaker, he rode the momentum in Round 2 by converting aboard Red Rum for 80.5 points. While he was dispatched from his championship round opponent, Fire Ant, in a quick 2.67 seconds, he’s set to compete in his first-ever World Finals, beginning Friday, May 11.

Photos courtesy of Andre Silva/Bull Stock Media