Kimzey Shakes off Rust as Team Cooper Tires Makes Easy Work of Can-Am in First Monster Energy Team Challenge Game in PBR History

By: Justin Felisko

PUEBLO, Colo. – It had been almost three months since reigning six-time PRCA champion Sage Kimzey attempted a bull prior to Friday night’s Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by U.S. Border Patrol.

Kimzey may have been a little bit rusty, but the 25-year-old did his part as Team Cooper Tires (1-0) easily dispatched of Team Can-Am (0-1) 336.25-87 in the first-ever Monster Energy Team Challenge game at the at the Pendleton Whisky Let ‘Er Buck Saloon at South Point Arena.

The No. 1-ranked bull rider in the PRCA went 1-for-2 for Team Cooper Tires, riding Bad Manners for 82 points before Crossfired bucked him off in 5.01 seconds in Round 2.

“Little rusty, but OK,” Kimzey said of his return to competition. “Not as sharp as I would like. Sore, but all good. The turnaround was fast, but it’s a great format.”

The Monster Energy Team Challenge was Kimzey’s first event in almost three months.

 
Kimzey was injured at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Feb. 11 when 84D tipped over during the ride, crushing his left leg and ankle after his 67-point ride.

The injury resulted in Kimzey having to withdraw from the Team USA Eagles four days before the 2020 Global Cup USA as he was due to undergo left ankle surgery.

Kimzey rushed back from surgery, which was the same one that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa underwent, in two weeks to try to compete at Rodeo Houston and The American, but he admitted he was nowhere near ready and went a disappointing 2-for-6.

Therefore, he took the last three months at home with no rodeos to compete at because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak to really work on getting full strength back in his ankle.

“Yeah, the ankle wasn’t really ready to go,” Kimzey said last month. “I was two weeks removed from surgery whenever I rode at Houston and it just hurt. There was no two ways about it. The biggest thing was I didn’t have the strength that I normally have, especially in my left leg, but really my whole body.”

Kimzey decided to not attempt any practice bulls in the week or two leading up to Team Cooper Tires’ first matchup, and he did admit that timing could be an issue with such a long layoff.

“I have been working out so my general condition is well, but definitely my sport-specific condition is not the greatest because I haven’t been on anything in two-plus months,” Kimzey said. “Honestly, as crazy as it sounds, bull riding to me is kind of like riding a bike. Really the only thing I have to work on to get back 100% in my bull riding is just my timing.”

Timing was not an issue whatsoever for PBR world No. 1 Jose Vitor Leme.

The captain of Team Cooper Tires was flawless Friday, and rode both of his bulls despite missing the final day of the Unleash The Beast first half in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on May 17 because of bruised ribs.

 
Leme put Team Cooper Tires in the lead with 84.25 points on Squeeze Box in the first showdown of the night in Round 1, and Team Cooper Tires never looked back.

Stetson Lawrence would next convert aboard Big Mac for 85.25 points before Brazilian rookie Mauricio Moreira answered for Team Can-Am with his game-high 87 points on Hot Spots.

Kimzey came through with his qualified ride in Round 1, and Leme would be the only rider to record a ride in Round 2 among either squad with his 84.75 points on Livin Lucky.

“All the rides are very important for us,” Leme told Kate Harrison on CBS Sports Network. “There are a lot of good teams, and I am so grateful for these guys to help my team win today.”

Just like that, Team Cooper Tires is 1-0 and sitting in second place in Division A, 0.75 points behind Team Union Home Mortgage (1-0), who won a thriller over Team Wrangler 337-257.25 points.

Team Cooper Tires and Team Union Home Mortgage are slated to square off Sunday on CBS national television at 12:30 p.m. ET on the CBS Game of the Week.

First, Team Cooper Tires takes on Team YETI, who went 0-for-6 against Team Las Vegas Friday, on Saturday night at 10:40 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and RidePass.

General Manager Cody Lambert has subbed in Keyshawn Whitehorse for Stetson Lawrence for Team Cooper Tires Saturday night showdown.

Whitehorse has drawn Bubba G (0-0) and Wasted Nights (0-0).

Meanwhile, Team Cooper Tires will send out their powerhouse duo of Leme and Kimzey once again.

Leme faces Beast of Burden (17-18, all levels) and 4 Bears (12-9, all levels) Saturday night.

Kimzey has drawn Skitso (12-3, all levels) and Keno (4-0, all levels).

“I wouldn’t rather be riding with anyone else,” Kimzey said. “We’re definitely here to win.”

Professional Bull Riders – Team Challenge – Game 1
Las Vegas, NV, 2020 – Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Jose Vitor Leme, 84.25-84.75-169.00
2. Mauricio Gula Moreira, 87-0-87.00
3. Stetson Lawrence, 85.25-0-85.25
4. Sage Steele Kimzey, 82-0-82.00
Fabiano Vieira, 0-0-0.00
Ezekiel Mitchell, 0-0-0.00
Rafael Henrique dos Santos, 0-0-0.00
Keyshawn Whitehorse, 0-0-0.00

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

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