#InCaseYouMissedIt: Leme Stays Red Hot, Helps Austin Gamblers to Event Win
By: Darci Miller
The PBR Team Series might be a whole new era of bull riding, but you know what’s not new? Jose Vitor Leme being straight-up dominant. While the Austin Gamblers benefited from that, the Oklahoma Freedom came on strong, a few strong teams slipped up, and there was some movement in the season standings. Miss a moment of the action this weekend? Here’s what happened around the PBR.
On the PBR Team Series…
ANAHEIM, DAY 1
Two-time World Champion Jose Vitor Leme rode for 89 points in that game and, as they say, a rising tide lifts all boats.
Friday night also featured a battle between two of the top teams, with the Missouri Thunder defeating the Arizona Ridge Riders to take over the No. 1 spot in the standings.
The Thunder improved to 5-1 with the win, but they believe they’re only just getting started.
The Freedom notched their second win of the season, dispatching the Ariat Texas Rattlers thanks to rides from Derek Kolbaba and Casey Roberts.
20-year-old Roberts has been a star for the Freedom and the strongest rookie rider in the PBR Team Series, beginning the season 3-for-6.
After a disappointing homestand the weekend before, the Kansas City Outlaws had something to prove in Anaheim and defeated the Carolina Cowboys.
ANAHEIM, DAY 2
The Gamblers kept things rolling on night two, though it was a nailbiter: they defeated the Kansas City Outlaws by a mere .25 points. But it was good enough for the event win and helped the Gamblers overtake the Ridge Riders for No. 2 in the season standings.
It may have surprised some when the Thunder picked Colten Fritzlan in the first round of the PBR Team Series Draft, but no one can argue that it hasn’t paid off.
The Freedom, who had previously had one win all season, notched their second win of the weekend of Anaheim when they narrowly defeated the Stampede on Saturday.
Derek Kolbaba is feeling good, and the Freedom are feeling the benefits.
Meanwhile, on the Challenger Series…
Up north in PBR Canada…
Dakota Buttar is now No. 2 in the race for the PBR Canada Championship with his 2-for-2, event-winning performance at the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event in Tofield, Alberta.
Coy Robbins is on a tear north of the border, earning his fourth PBR Canada TPD event win of the year at the 10th Annual Marwayne PBR, presented by Garnier Custom Silage.
Through the lens with BullStockMedia
Check out the best photos from Anaheim.
Social spotlight
Straight fire.
View this post on Instagram
Everyone’s coming out for the PBR Team Series!
View this post on Instagram
We’ve found the cutest Rattlers fans.
View this post on Instagram
Looking ahead
The PBR Team Series heads to Nashville on Aug. 19-21 for PBR Stampede Days (Aug. 19 at 8:45 p.m. ET and Aug. 20 at 7:45 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV; Aug. 21 at 1:30 p.m. ET on CBS; Aug. 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network).
The Challenger Series rolls on in Erick, Oklahoma, with the Nothin’ But Try Ranch PBR on Aug. 17; Lamar, Missouri, with the Lamar PBR 8 Second Chute Out on Aug. 19-20; Redmond, Oregon, with the Grizzly Mountain PBR at O’Neil Arena on Aug. 20 (10:45 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV); and in Fort Worth, Texas, with PBR Sunday at Cowtown on Aug. 21 (3 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV).
© 2022 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.