Comparing Leme’s 2020 Start to Marchi’s in 2008

By: Justin Felisko

PUEBLO, Colo. – To unseat reigning World Champion Jess Lockwood, it may take a season of riding at historic proportions.

Current world leader Jose Vitor Leme may be prepared to do just that.

Leme is off to one of the best starts in PBR history following a 20-for-25 (80%) start to the 2020 Unleash The Beast. His success has come at all levels of competition, too, with a 23-for-31 (74.19%) stat line overall.

The No. 1 bull rider in the world was a perfect 4-for-4 this past weekend at the U.S. Border Patrol Invitational to win his third Unleash The Beast event of 2020 and finish third in the 15/15 Bucking Battle (89.75 points on Jive Turkey).

 
“It is amazing for me because I work, I work and I come here to do this,” Leme said. “I come here to ride my bulls and make good rides. 80% is awesome. I hope to continue to ride my bulls and get more bulls into my hand. Lord help me. I hope the Lord help me on the draw to get good bulls and go to 90.”

Leme picked up his PBR-leading seventh UTB round win Sunday afternoon by riding Inferno for 89 points in Round 2. He then converted aboard Night Shift for 88.75 points in the championship round to take over the event lead. Claudio Montanha Jr. and Lockwood were bucked off by Foghorn Leghorn (2.67 seconds) and Bezerk (5.17 seconds), respectively, cementing Leme his ninth career victory.

“I had seen Night Shift sometimes before,” Leme said. “He looks really good for my style, and today I had an opportunity to ride him. I pick him thinking I could get 90-plus points. It is not 90, but it is good points and a good bull. I just thank God for another good ride in my career.”

The 23-year-old regained the No. 1 ranking in the world standings for the second time this season, and he will take a 115-point lead on No. 2 Lockwood into Friday night’s WCRA Royal City Roundup in Kansas City, Missouri.

Fans can watch Round 1 on RidePass beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the conclusion on CBS national television at 12:30 ET on Saturday.

“WCRA is a good event to get more money for your life,” Leme said. “I hope (to go) to WCRA and keep riding my bulls. I love this, and I am very excited for this event, too.”

 
Time will tell if Leme can continue at his current torrid pace on the UTB, which may seem quite unlikely, but it is actually not completely unheard of.

2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi pushed himself over the gold buckle hump 12 years ago following three straight runner-up finishes in the world title race by going 74-for-102 (72.55%) on the premier series.

Marchi began that season 20-for-25. (2004 World Champion Mike Lee also began the 2008 season 20-for-25).

Marchi is the last World Champion to ride more than 70% of his bulls on the premier series for an entire season.

“I think it is a coincidence, but it is funny,” Leme said. “Guilherme win the world, and I hope that I win too. It is amazing. I am very happy at this moment in my career.”

Lockwood finished last season with the highest riding percentage (67.69%) by a World Champion since three-time World Champion Silvano Alves rode 69% in 2011.

 

Leme vs. Marchi’s 20-for-25 starts by the numbers

Age: Leme (23) / Marchi (25)
Season: Leme (4th) / Marchi (5th)
Most Consecutive Rides: Leme (6) / Marchi (8)
Average Ride Score: Leme (87.65) / Marchi (86.35)
90-point Rides: Leme (4) / Marchi (2)
Top Ride: Leme (92 points on Bullseye) / Marchi (90.5 points on Outsider)
Lowest Ride: Leme (82.25 points on No Sir) / Marchi (82 points on Portuguese Shuffle and Thunder and Lightning)
Round Wins: Leme (7) / Marchi (0)
World Ranking: Leme (1) / Marchi (2)

ANALYSIS: Leme is winning at a higher rate than Marchi was when you compare each of their respective starts.

Leme is averaging more points per ride (87.65), which has resulted in seven round wins and three event wins in his first seven events. Meanwhile, Marchi was averaging 1.3 points per ride less compared to Leme and had won zero rounds or events through his first nine events. He also was second to Travis Briscoe in the world standings, compared to Leme being ahead of two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood.

Marchi would on to win five events in total in 2008, and concluded the season with 13 90-point rides and his first gold buckle.

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

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