LAS VEGAS – In front of more than 10,000 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center, four of the Top 6 riders in the world gained ground on current world leader Joao Ricardo Vieira during Round 1 of the Built Ford Tough World Finals on Wednesday.
Two-time (2011, 2012) PBR World Champion Silvano Alves, 2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi, 2004 World Champion Mike Lee and Matt Triplett all covered their bulls to cut into Vieria’s lead.
Alves jumped to No. 2 in the world standings with an 86.25-point effort atop Dumber, moving to within 399.94 points of the world lead. Fabiano Vieira, who lasted 7.55 seconds on Savage, fell to No. 3 in the world. Marchi, currently sitting No. 4 in the standings, made the 8-second mark on Flyin’ Crazy for 86 points.
No. 5 Lee covered McIntyre Transports 029 Back Jackin for 87.25 points, while No. 6 Triplett rode Pearl Harbor to tie Lee for fourth in the round.
“I made the 8 seconds,” said Triplett, “and that’s really all that matters. That bull bucked really good. I was excited to get on him and it worked out.”
Regarding his opening-round effort, Marchi said, “I’m feeling great after the first round. I had a great bull. I want to win my second title. That’s my plan.”
Bruiser made quick work of Joao Ricardo Vieira, tossing him in 3.44 seconds.
Each of the Top 6 riders still has a very good chance of capturing the 2014 World Champion title, with Triplett being the furthest out, 1,714.42 behind the world leader. There are a total of 5,500 points available at the World Finals.
Four-time and defending PRCA champion and first-time PBR World Finals qualifier J.W. Harris took the Round 1 win with an 88.75-point performance on Jo Jo. Stormy Wing took second on Slappy with 88.50 points, while reigning PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney landed third, posting 88 points on More Big Bucks.
Round 2 of the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals takes place Thursday, Oct. 23, beginning at 6 p.m. CBS Sports Network will carry the event live at 9 p.m. ET.
Built Ford Tough World Finals
Thomas & Mack Center
Las Vegas
Event Leaders (Round 1-Event Points)…
1. J.W. Harris, 88.75-88.75 points.
2. Stormy Wing, 88.5-88.50 points.
3. J.B. Mauney, 88-88.00 points.
4/5. Matt Triplett, 87.25-87.25 points.
4/5. Mike Lee, 87.25-87.25 points.
6/7. L.J. Jenkins, 87-87.00 points.
6/7. Tanner Byrne, 87-87.00 points.
8/10. Brady Sims, 86.25-86.25 points.
8/10. Marco Eguchi, 86.25-86.25 points.
8/10. Silvano Alves, 86.25-86.25 points.
11/12. Eduardo Aparecido, 86-86.00 points.
11/12. Guilherme Marchi, 86-86.00 points.
13. Lachlan Richardson, 85.5-85.50 points.
14. Jordan Hupp, 84-84.00 points.
15. Nathan Schaper, 83.5-83.50 points.
Billy Robinson, 0-0.00 points.
Chase Outlaw, 0-0.00 points.
Claudio Crisostomo, 0-0.00 points.
Cody Nance, 0-0.00 points.
David Kennedy, 0-0.00 points.
Douglas Duncan, 0-0.00 points.
Emilio Resende, 0-0.00 points.
Fabiano Vieira, 0-0.00 points.
Fernando Henrique, 0-0.00 points.
Gage Gay, 0-0.00 points.
Gustavo Pedrero, 0-0.00 points.
Joao Ricardo Vieira, 0-0.00 points.
Josh Faircloth, 0-0.00 points.
Kasey Hayes, 0-0.00 points.
Kody Lostroh, 0-0.00 points.
Renato Nunes, 0-0.00 points.
Robson Palermo, 0-0.00 points.
Ryan Dirteater, 0-0.00 points.
Scott Schiffner, 0-0.00 points.
Sean Willingham, 0-0.00 points.
Stetson Lawrence, 0-0.00 points.
Ty Pozzobon, 0-0.00 points.
Valdiron de Oliveira, 0-0.00 points.
Zane Lambert, 0-0.00 points.
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