#InCaseYouMissedIt: Monster Energy Team Challenge Ushers in New Era in PBR History
By: Darci Miller
This weekend saw the debut of the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by U.S. Border Patrol, which pits 12 teams and 48 bull riders against each other in an event format unlike any other. With no fans in the arena and strict safety guidelines in place, some new faces threw down in a big way, a three-time World Champion walked it off, and Jose Vitor Leme stole the show as only Jose Vitor Leme can. Miss a moment of the action this weekend? Here’s what happened around the PBR.
At the Monster Energy Team Challenge…
When Jose Vitor Leme, Sage Kimzey, Keyshawn Whitehorse and Stetson Lawrence joined forces on Team Cooper Tires, you knew they’d do some special things. And, well, they did.
TEAM COOPER TIRES def. TEAM CAN-AM, 336.25-87: Kimzey, the six-time reigning PRCA champion, hadn’t been on a bull in three months, but he shook off the rust to help his squad to victory in its first game.
TEAM COOPER TIRES def. TEAM YETI, 332-0: Lawrence, meanwhile, was a last-minute addition to the roster and, as a last-minute call-up in Team Cooper Tires’ second game, came through.
TEAM COOPER TIRES def. TEAM UNION HOME MORTGAGE, 175.75-85.5: And then there’s Leme. Following up one of the best statistical first halves in Unleash The Beast history, Leme went 5-for-6 in the opening weekend of competition to take a commanding lead in the Built Ford Tough MVP race.
TEAM LAS VEGAS def. TEAM YETI, 88.25-0: Team Las Vegas also went 3-0 on the weekend, even after an inauspicious start that saw it win its first game by the skin of its teeth.
TEAM LAS VEGAS def. TEAM UNION HOME MORTGAGE, 257-85.25: The second game was far more comfortable, as Chase Dougherty clinched the victory for his squad composed entirely of PRCA bull riders.
TEAM LAS VEGAS def. TEAM WRANGLER, 174.75-0: After nailing down Team Las Vegas’s third win, team captain Stetson Wright admitted that, while winning is nice, he knows his team could do better.
TEAM UNION HOME MORTGAGE def. TEAM WRANGLER, 337-257.25: Team Union Home Mortgage may have gone 1-2, but three-time World Champion and team captain Silvano Alves provided some incredible dramatics with a walkoff victory.
TEAM CAN-AM def. TEAM WRANGLER, 347.25-0: Team Can-Am also went 1-2, and was led by Ezekiel Mitchell’s 2-for-2 performance in its second game to take a dominating win.
TEAM YETI def. TEAM CAN-AM, 173-86.5: It took Team YETI until its third game to even get its first qualified ride, but it came just in time to nail down a win and improve its record to 1-2.
Through the lens with Andy Watson and BullStockMedia
Check out the best photos from Challenge Day 1, Challenge Day 2 and Challenge Day 3, and what things looked like behind the scenes.
Social spotlight
Team Cooper Tires putting in WORK.
Caption this.
Squad rolling deep.
Looking ahead
The Monster Energy Team Challenge continues with the second weekend of Division A action from Las Vegas. Tune in on June 12-13 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and RidePass, June 14 at 11 a.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and RidePass, and June 14 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS for the Game of the Week.
The Monster Energy Team Challenge will conclude with Championship Weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on July 11-12 in front of fans.
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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