Moraes Believes Vieira has What it Takes to Join him as a 36-Year-Old Champion

By: Justin Felisko

NEW YORK CITY – Joao Ricardo Vieira sat on an empty table inside Madison Square Garden around the corner of the locker room and contemplated the question.

Where is the Fountain of Youth?

Has Vieira found the magical spring that restores the youth of anyone who drinks from it?

Of course, not.

Vieira then begins to laugh.

At 35 years old, Vieira had the best year of his career, winning more than $924,562.61 at various PBR, WCRA and rodeo events and finishing third in the 2019 world title race.

“I told you last year was my best year in 15 years in my career, and I am so glad,” Vieira said. “I keep working, and I am ready for this run.”

Vieira has no plans to slow down this season. He heads into Championship Sunday with the opportunity to win the fourth PBR Major of his career – and earn another payday of over $100,000 – during the conclusion of the Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden.

The 2013 Rookie of the Year began his 2020 season with 89.25 points on Western Skies in Round 1 Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Vieira followed that up Saturday with 84.75 points on Going Broke, and he heads into Championship Sunday atop the leaderboard in New York.

Vieira (2-for-2, 174, 28.5 world points) is one of 10 riders a perfect 2-for-2 in New York. Rounding out the Top 5 behind Vieira is Eduardo Aparecido (2-for-2, 170.75, 30 world points), 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco (2-for-2, 170.5, 15.5 world points), Dylan Smith (2-for-2, 170.5, 11 world points) and Colten Jesse (2-for-2, 170, 11.5 world points).

“I have won a lot at Iron Cowboy and at big events last year,” Vieira said. “I hope this is the case again this year. I don’t know why (I ride so good at these events), but I see this.”

Vieira has drawn Birthday Cake for Round 3 Sunday (1:45 p.m. ET RidePass & 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network). Jess Lockwood rode Birthday Cake for 88.25 points in Round 1.

Vieira turns 36 years old on July 28 and would be a few months younger than the oldest PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes if he were to win the gold buckle this coming November. Moraes was 36 when he won his final world title in 2006.

Vieira believes he is prepared to contend for a world title in 2020.

“I believe because my body is good and my mind is good,” Vieira said. “I am blessed to ride bulls.”

Moraes is in New York this week working the Portuguese RidePass broadcast and said he believes Vieira can join him in the record books.

“I think he can,” Moraes said. “He rode that bull (in Round 1) extremely good into his hand, but we expect that. He is an expert into his hand. I just want to see now how well he is going to ride away from his hand. He knows he does not have much time left. He knows what he is capable of. He has been in the Top 5 how many times in his career? Almost every year. I think he still has a shot.”

While it is easy to bring up the physical challenges for a rider entering his late 30s, Moraes said in many ways it is the mental challenge that be that much harder for a longtime veteran.

“The mental game is the hardest part,” Moraes said. “You start doubting because of your age. I don’t think I did. At 36, I was very confident. I proved that throughout the year. I believe I was leading until the break, and then after the break I struggled. I lost my position, and I think I was fifth heading into the Finals. I rode well in the beginning of the year, and if I did, Joao Ricardo can, too.”

Vieira is 15-for-28 (53.57%) in seven appearances inside Madison Square Garden. He has never won the New York event, but he did finish third in 2016 and fourth in 2018.

The Itatinga, Brazil, bull rider knows a PBR Major can help tremendously in his pursuit of that elusive world title. Vieira is not a rider to win rounds on the Unleash The Beast – he won four in 2019 – and he has to rely on event wins to keep pace with two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood and Jose Vitor Leme.

“I need to win more rounds,” Vieira said. “The (points) system, if you win the round, you get a lot of points. This helps you during the season in the race for a World Championship. Last year was my best year in America at 35 years old, and I rode good all year long. Just at the Finals I was hurt (ribs/back), but I am so glad for last year.

“This year I will be better. I am more prepared to start the season.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

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