Vieira’s 7-For-7 Start Pushes him to World No. 1 Ranking
By: Justin Felisko
CHICAGO – For the first time in 23 months, Joao Ricardo Vieira is once again on top of the PBR world standings.
Vieira continued his torrid start to the 2022 season this weekend at the PBR Tractor Supply Co. Invitational with a 3-for-3 second-place finish, as well as his eighth career 15/15 Bucking Battle victory, to leave Chicago as the new No. 1-ranked bull rider.
The 10-year veteran capped his impressive weekend with an 85.25-point ride on Top Shot and was able to take a 24-point lead on Kyler Oliver ahead of next weekend’s PBR Gwinnett Invitational in Duluth, Georgia. Chicago event winner Stetson Lawrence is 106 points behind Vieira.
Vieira has not been the No. 1-ranked bull rider in the world since finishing runner-up at the 2020 Iron Cowboy in downtown Los Angeles to take a slim 17.75-point lead on Jose Vitor Leme.
“This is so great,” Vieira said. “I have started so good, and this makes me happy. I worked hard after the Finals. I went back to Brazil, and I kept riding. I had to be careful. The food is so good in Brazil, amazing barbeque, and we have great parties. I made sure to eat healthy and keep in shape for this coming season. I worked at my ranch to have power.”
Vieira is 7-for-7 to begin the 2022 season. He has back-to-back second-place finishes despite missing the season opener in Indianapolis after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 while in Brazil.
2022 World Standings
No. 1 Joao Ricardo Vieira
No. 2 Kyler Oliver (-24 points)
No. 3 Stetson Lawrence (-106)
No. 4 Daylon Swearingen (-155.84)
No. 5 Dener Barbosa (-161)
On Friday night, Vieira pointed toward the Jerome Robinson tribute sticker on his vest in memory of the 1999 PBR Ring of Honor inductee following his record-setting eighth 15/15 Bucking Battle victory (91 points on WSM’s Jive Turkey).
“Before I ride my bulls, the good energy on the back of the chute, I say, ‘I ride these bulls today for Jerome,’” Vieira said. “I’m so sad for him passing away. And I have a lot of energy, and it told me, ‘You can ride these bulls, and you can ride easy.’ When he was in the arena and looking at good riding, all the time, he’s cheering and excited. I’m so glad for riding this good and riding this for him.”
The 11-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier passed away on Jan. 9 at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. The 74-year-old spent the last 29 years as the PBR’s arena director and has impacted millions of people across the world as a pioneer in the Western sports industry.
Viera also posted rides aboard Midnight Rain (86.25 points) and Ranch Water (87.25 points) in Chicago.
The 37-year-old could become the oldest World Champion in PBR history if he can finally get over the hump this year following three straight years of Top-5 finishes. He has posted a Top-5 finish in seven of his nine years in the PBR.
Three-time World Champion Adriano Moraes won his last world title in 2006 at 36 years old and retired two years later.
Vieira believes that 2022 will not be his final season in the PBR.
“I suppose I will ride two more years,” Vieira said. “These years, I keep gaining more confidence, having more fun and getting better. I love what I do. I know one day I need to stop, but I think I have two more years. Maybe more.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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