Leme and Lockwood Back to Battling it out in Billings
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – Two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood may have been the most fired up he has ever been for an 84-point ride on Friday night, but such was the case when Lockwood reached the 8-second mark on One for the Money in his return to competition following a six-month absence because of a torn left hamstring.
World leader Jose Vitor Leme, though, was unfazed by the return of the reigning champion – and possibly his hardest challenger for the 2020 World Championship. Leme made sure to answer the bell by ending the evening in Billings, Montana, with an 89.25-point ride on Safety Meeting to finish Round 1 of the PBR Ariat Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires in second-place.
The next chapter of the friendly rivalry between the two of the best bull riders in the world is officially back underway with Lockwood’s return to competition inside First Interstate Arena.
Leme picked up 10 world points to extend his lead in the world standings to 578.50 points on Lockwood, the No. 3 ranked rider in the world, who finished 10th in Round 1 for two world points. Twisted bucked off No. 2 Joao Ricardo Vieira in 3.28 seconds on Friday night to fall to 439.59 points behind Leme in the world title race.
The final three-day, event of the 2020 Unleash The Beast continues on Saturday night with Round 2 beginning at 8:45 p.m. ET on RidePass. There will then be five more regular-season events before the 2020 World Finals.
All eyes will once again be on Lockwood on Saturday night as he tries to run down Leme for the second consecutive season.
Lockwood is still working his way into “bull riding shape,” but he knows the time is now if he is going to make a run at the 2020 world title.
RELATED: Nate Jestes can relate to Lockwood following his torn hamstring in 2018
“If I could catch my breath, I’d try to get a sigh of relief,” Lockwood told RidePass host Colby Yates of getting his first qualified ride since his career-threatening injury. “I’m not in shape for bull riding yet.”
Lockwood then let out a laugh.
It was apparent the Volborg, Montana, native was just so happy to be back doing what he loves to do for a living.
One for the Money gave Lockwood a little bit of a hard time in the chutes before the ride. Once Lockwood got out with One for the Money, the Canadian bull made sure to buck primarily in the same location and the nonstandard trip could have thrown off a rusty Lockwood, but the 22-year-old got the job done regardless.
“I’d have to watch the video back,” Lockwood told Yates. “I know that bull didn’t do much, but golly, that sure tested my legs. So we know my leg’s in good shape.”
Just as he is in the world standings, Lockwood, who won his first premier series event in Billings four years ago, will be attempting to fight his way back into contention for the event victory.
2018 Rookie of the Year Keyshawn Whitehorse won Round 1 with his 89.5-point ride on Crazy Doc and there were a total of 15 rides in Round 1. In comparison, there were 16 rides total two weeks ago at the two-day UTB event in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lockwood has drawn Cold Chill (3-0, UTB) for Round 2 before he takes on Axle (2-0, UTB) in the 15/15 Bucking Battle.
Meanwhile, Leme will look to jump into the event lead in Round 2 against Nailed. Leme is very familiar with Nailed, who he just rode in August for 89.5 points to win the WCRA Stampede at the E and $62,500. Leme also rode Nailed for 87.75 points last year at the Ty Murray Invitational. That was one of the times Leme rode a bull last year and pointed at his friends on the bucking chutes. Prior to that, Nailed bested Leme in 3.11 seconds in New York City at the 2018 season opener.
Leme then has a very difficult test during the 15/15 Bucking Battle against Smooth Operator. The 2019 YETI World Champion Bull has bucked off 18 consecutive riders.
The 15/15 Bucking Battle airs Sunday on CBS national television (check local listings).
Leme is 1-1 against Chad Berger’s champion bovine, but his 92.5-point ride last year came when Smooth Operator surprisingly turned into Leme’s left riding hand.
The 24-year-old expects Smooth Operator (81-7, UTB/METC) to be a handful, but Leme said earlier this week that he would be ready.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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