Toves Wins Velocity Tour Event in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. – In front of a packed house at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, Taylor Toves (Stephenville, Texas) was the victor at the PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour (RVT) Fresno Invitational on Saturday night.

Toves won the event after putting up 86.5 points aboard Squirrel (Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls) in Round 1. It was the 23-year-old’s first-ever PBR victory, and it earned him 80 points toward the PBR world standings along with $6,568.67.

Winners of each RVT event in 2017 will be guaranteed at least one opportunity to compete at a PBR Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) regular-season event. Thanks to his victory in Fresno, Toves will compete at the Tacoma Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, April 22-23 at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington.

Cody Tesch (Los Lunas, New Mexico) finished in second place, earning 50 points toward the world standings along with a payday of $4,868.57. Tesch covered Gas Pedal (Humpz ‘N Horns) in Round 1 for 85.5 points.

Third place went to Nathan Burtenshaw (Coonamble, Australia) after he reached 8 seconds on Smokin Hummer (Circle P Rodeo Co) for 84 points. Burtenshaw picked up 30 points toward the world standings along with $3,168.57.

Alex Marcilio (Macaubal, Brazil) finished in fourth place, and earned 20 points toward the world standings along with $2,168.57 after his 83.5-point ride on Blackie Big Wells (Walking Lazy J Bull Team) in Round 1.

Matt Werries (Jacksonville, Illinois) and Kyle Jones (Troy, Missouri) finished in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Werries rode Super Cool Cat (Humpz and Hornz / Sis & Stan Bucking Bulls) for 82.5 points as he tallied 15 world points and a paycheck of $1,308.57. Meanwhile, Jones pocketed 10 world points and $1,028.57 for his 81.5-point ride aboard Game Over (Diamond Bar Cattle).

Four bulls tied for high-marked bull of the event after earning equal 43-point bull scores. Karl (O’Connor Bucking Bulls), Dream Catcher (Evan Matthews), The Kid (Diamond Bar Cattle) and Brown Bomber (Humpz ‘N Horns/Sis&Stan Bucking Bulls) were all the top bovines in Fresno.

An hour-long highlight show of the RVT event in Fresno will air on PBR.com Wednesday, March 29, visit PBR LIVE to watch all the action from the Velocity Tour event.

The Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour will next head to Birmingham, Alabama for the Birmingham Buck Off on April 1, 2017 at Legacy Arena.

The 2017 Velocity Tour will culminate with the Velocity Tour Finals at South Point Arena in Las Vegas on Oct. 28-30, leading into the PBR’s 2017 Built Ford Tough World Finals, Nov. 1-5 at T-Mobile Arena. 

Fresno Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour Event Results
Name, Round 1-Round 2-Aggr. Score-Total Points-Money Earned

1. Taylor Toves, 86.5-0-86.5-80-$6,568.57
2. Cody Tesch, 85.5-0-85.5-50-$4,868.57
3. Nathan Burtenshaw, 84-0-84.0-30-$3,168.57
4. Alex Marcilio, 83.5-0-83.5-20-$2,168.57
5. Matt Werries, 82.5-0-82.5-15-$1,308.57
6. Kyle Jones, 81.5-0-81.5-10-$1,028.57