#InCaseYouMissedIt: Leme Goes Back to Back with Win in Chicago
By: Darci Miller
After missing the first five events of the season with broken ribs, Jose Vitor Leme is right back in the world title race, and it only took… *checks calendar* two events. Plus, Mason Taylor had a strong weekend, the Velocity Tour crowned a few winners, and more. Miss a moment of the action this weekend? Here’s what happened around the PBR.
On the Unleash The Beast…
Two-time World Champion Jose Vitor Leme is back and looking like his old self. Following a win last weekend in New York City, he won in Chicago – plus finished second in the 15/15 Bucking Battle – to cruise to No. 2 in the Unleash The Beast standings.
It was a dominant performance for Leme, who’s started the season 7-for-8 as he eyes a third world title.
In more solemn news, the PBR family mourns 2007 YETI World Champion Bull Chicken On A Chain, who passed away last week.
Meanwhile, on the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour…
It was a busy week on the Velocity Tour, as action started in Denver on Monday. Grayson Cole led after the first night of competition…
…but Luciano de Castro ultimately won Round 1…
…and Chase Dougherty surpassed them all, winning his first event after missing four months due to injury.
It’s been a long slog back from injury for Dougherty, who’s taking things slow and is simply grateful to be able to ride bulls again.
Colorado native Elijah Mora relished the opportunity to compete in his home state’s historic venue.
Then things headed to Charleston, West Virginia, where Claudio Montanha Jr. won Round 1…
…and Flavio Zivieri went 3-for-3 to take the event win.
In Spokane, Washington, it was Austin Richardson topping the leaderboard and taking the win thanks to his 2-for-2 showing.
Through the lens with BullStockMedia
Check out the best photos from Chicago.
Social spotlight
What’s better than one Salgado? Two Salgados.
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Hear from the champ himself!
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Some #MondayMotivation from the No. 1 bull rider.
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Looking ahead
The Unleash The Beast rolls on in Duluth, Georgia, with the PBR Gwinnett Chute Out on Jan. 21-22 (Jan. 21 at 6:45 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV; Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network).
The Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour continues on Jan. 20-21 with the Greenville Invitational in Greenville, South Carolina (Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV) and the Reno Rumble in Reno, Nevada (Jan. 20 at 11 p.m. ET and Jan. 21 at 10 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV).
Additionally, the PBR Stockyards Showcase kicks off in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 19 (8:30 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV).
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