#InCaseYouMissedIt: Leme Becomes the Second Rider Ever to Win Back-to-Back PBR World Titles
By: Darci Miller
The 2021 season came to an end with the final World Finals in Las Vegas, so you know things had to go out with a bang! After two consecutive seasons of finishing second in the world, Jose Vitor Leme won his second consecutive PBR World Championship. Plus, Woopaa did exactly what you’d expect him to, Eli Vastbinder was crowned Rookie of the Year, and so much more. Miss a moment of the action this weekend? Here’s what happened around the PBR.
At the PBR World Finals…
DAY 1
Jose Vitor Leme was readying to return to action following a groin/core muscle injury that had kept him out of action since September.
He went on to finish sixth in Round 1, and you KNOW Leme is back if the point is back!
However, world No. 2 Kaique Pacheco and world No. 3 Cooper Davis both rode for 90-plus points in Round 1, and both gained ground on Leme.
Eli Vastbinder won Round 1 in his World Finals debut, becoming the first rider to make the 8 on Manaba in the process.
Mason Taylor came into the World Finals just a week removed from surgery on his broken jaw. Riding with it wired shut, he placed fourth in Round 1. Little did we know…
DAY 2
Ahead of his first out at the World Finals, No. 1 bull Woopaa was looking healthy and strong as he prepared to chase a world title.
In Round 2, Leme again finished in the Top 10 while Pacheco and Davis bucked off, giving Leme a significant advantage in the event aggregate.
Have you noticed that Cody Teel always seems to ride better at the World Finals? Because he certainly does.
Dennis the Menace earned a bull score of 47.25 points to take the lead for Bull of the Finals, while No. 2 Chiseled was able to narrow Woopaa’s advantage in the world standings.
Alvaro Aguilar Alvarez won Round 2 with a 92-point ride – the first qualified ride of his premier series career.
After two rounds of competition, Chase Dougherty, Cody Teel and Mason Taylor were in a three-way tie for the event lead.
DAY 3
Thriving at the World Finals, Leme said he was even more motivated by his injury.
Mason Taylor, meanwhile, took over sole possession of the event lead with a 90.5-point ride on Walking Tall in Round 3.
When Eli Vastbinder was bucked off by Whiskey Bent, he separated a shoulder and broke some ribs. But he still rode his re-ride bull Hell on the Red for 90 points.
Dener Barbosa still wasn’t feeling like his old self following a broken collarbone, but he rode Happy Camper for 89.75 points in Round 3.
DAY 4
Both on the dirt and in the casinos, Mason Taylor was a big winner – he was the event leader and a perfect 4-for-4 through Round 4.
DAY 5
Jose Vitor Leme won his second consecutive world title – becoming just the second rider ever to do so – but that wasn’t the only history he made in Vegas. He set new records for most 90-point rides in a season (24) and round wins (21), and tied the record with eight event wins in a season. Oh, and he also set a new record for highest-scored ride in PBR history with 98.75 points on Woopaa. Yes, 98.75 points. That’s not a typo. We’re still in shock.
In other news…
PBR announced the PBR Team Series, a new team-format league launching in June of 2022.
Though the World Finals is moving out of Las Vegas to Texas, never fear – the PBR Team Series will hold its championship in T-Mobile Arena.
Up north in PBR Canada…
Three-time PBR Canada Champion Aaron Roy won the Canadian Touring Pro Division event in Yorkton…
…while Ashton Sahli won his career-first PBR Canada event at the final regular-season event of the year.
PBR Canada has announced the qualifiers for the 2021 PBR Canada National Finals on Nov. 12-13.
Down under in PBR Australia…
Beau Willis won his first PBR Australia event in five years at the Caboolture Invitational.
Through the lens with BullStockMedia
Check out the best photos from day one, day two, day three, day four and day five in Las Vegas.
Social spotlight
Hear from the champ about his season!
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Lest we forget, there were also these
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What. A. Squad.
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Again… what. A. Squad.
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Fam goals!
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Not a bad week of work.
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Looking ahead
Stay tuned to PBR.com for the latest information and updates on where to catch the action in the coming weeks.
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