Leme Relaxed and Confident in Strong Start to 2020 Season
By: Justin Felisko
CHICAGO – Jose Vitor Leme pulled the black Monster Energy neck gaiter over his fence, slid on his jacket and pulled on his gloves late Saturday night inside Allstate Arena.
Leme laughed as he talked about the winter weather swirling outside in Chicago.
The 23-year-old had never seen snow before he moved to the United States in 2018 after his sensational 6-for-6 victory at the 2017 PBR World Finals.
“I do not mind the cold,” Leme said before pausing. “It is OK, but not all the time.”
Leme then smiled again.
He was relaxed and happy.
Leme had just ridden Lil’ Man for 88.25 points to finish Round 1 of the Chicago Invitational in a tie for second place with Matt Triplett (88.25 points).
The ride was a season-best for Leme, who has quietly ridden three of his last four bulls since bucking off in Round 1 of the Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden and at the New York 15/15 Bucking Battle.
“I am very happy,” Leme said. “That is my biggest score in 2020 so far. He was a really hard bull. I expected him to be kind of hard and strong. Thank God I had good rosin on my rope, because with this weather being cold and all, I was able to keep my hand in my rope. I am very happy for that, and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”
Leme, of course, was well aware that two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood won his second consecutive round by riding Hy Test for 89 points Saturday night.
Lockwood handed Leme one of the hardest losses of his athletic career last year when he went 5-for-6 at the PBR World Finals to win the 2019 World Championship.
Leme, though, has moved on from his second consecutive runner-up finish in the world title race. He is not dwelling on the past or what could have been.
The third-year pro wants to focus this year more on the journey to a gold buckle, and less on the result.
He knows he was right on the cusp of a championship last year, and he is confident he can contend for one again in 2020.
“I don’t think I’ll change anything from last year,” Leme said with the help of Paulo Crimber translating. “I think, everything I could’ve done, I did it. Going everywhere I could, making points. I got a lead. It just isn’t meant to be sometimes.
“But I’m just going to put as much pressure (on myself) to win it like I did, and just kind of let it go. I’m just going to focus on riding my bulls and have fun, and work on myself to be better every day. But just to be able to do my job good. Just let things happen, and not put that much pressure on myself. ‘I have to win, I have to win,’ you know. Just let it happen, and let God in first place take care of what’s supposed to be happening, and it’s going to happen.”
Leme finished fifth in New York last week, and he is No. 10 in the early-season world standings heading into Championship Sunday at the Chicago Invitational.
He will take on Blue Crush (9-5, UTB) in Round 2 at Allstate Arena. Leme rode Blue Crush last year in Chicago for 87.25 points.
Fans can watch the conclusion of the Chicago Invitational at 2:45 p.m. ET on RidePass and at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
In fact, Leme finished second to Lockwood last year in Chicago as well, and Sunday may feature the two once again battling it out in the championship round.
Leme is not surprised to see Lockwood at the top of the scoreboard entering Sunday, and he expects to battle with him all season long in the world title race.
The Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil, native said that Lockwood is going to push him to be better, and he expects to push Lockwood as well in 2020.
That is what happens when you put two great athletes against each other.
“It’s just like in soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi,” Leme said. “They’re 10 years straight, went back and forth, back and forth, and every time one wins, the other would just want to do better and better to take that back the following year. I try to do the same, and I think Jess does the same, too.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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