What 2 Watch 4: Leme Says He Is Getting Closer to a Return; Vieira Can Take Over World Lead
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – World No. 1 bull rider Jose Vitor Leme decided against attempting a practice bull on Tuesday afternoon, and will now miss a second consecutive Unleash The Beast event because of three broken ribs.
Leme had hoped to get on a practice bull at home in Decatur, Texas, but after testing out his ribs on the soccer field, he quickly realized he was not ready to attempt to ride a 1,500-pound animal.
“I still feel a little pain,” Leme said. “I will rest more. I want to come back 100%, and now I feel maybe 70%. There is no therapy for broken ribs. I just need to rest and wait.”
Leme has been training lightly at Fit-N-Wise Rehabilitation and Performance Center since The Hard Stuff slammed him into a steel post during the 15/15 Bucking Battle at the Caterpillar Classic in Kansas City, Missouri.
The 23-year-old currently holds a 93.75-point lead on No. 3 Joao Ricardo Vieira in the world standings. No. 2 Jess Lockwood (torn hamstring) trails Leme by 72.5 points, but is expected to be out for six months.
Vieira will now have the chance to take over the No. 1 spot from Leme with a victory this weekend at the Gwinnett Invitational in Duluth, Georgia.
The 35-year-old has drawn Rodeo Time (0-0, UTB) for Round 1 Saturday night at Infinite Energy Center.
Vieira has not been No. 1 in the world since entering the U.S. Border Patrol Invitational with a 17.75-point lead on Leme three weeks ago.
LAWRENCE BACK IN THE RUNNING FOR TOP 30; ALTERNATES FOR DULUTH
All it took Stetson Lawrence was one Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour event, and a 2-for-4 showing in Bangor, Maine, last weekend to work his way back to the Unleash The Beast after being cut from the premier series two weeks ago.
Lawrence still has work to accomplish, though, if he wants to remain on the UTB, but he is right on the cusp of breaking back into the Top 30.
The No. 36-ranked bull rider begins Duluth less than a point behind No. 35 Marcus Mast, and less than 10 points out of the Top 30.
Lawrence said his victory is not necessary relief, but rather a boost for his mindset.
“A little more than anything, just get some confidence back,” Lawrence said.
Additional riders outside of the Top 35 competing in Duluth are No. 39 Brady Sims (6.16 points behind No. 35 Mast), No. 40 Jake Lockwood (-6.5 points), No. 42 Alex Cerqueira (-13.16 points), No. 43 Mauricio Gula Moreira (-14.83 points), No. 44 Cody Casper (-15.16 points), No. 45 Dakota Louis (-16.16 points), No. 60 Silvano Alves (-34.16 points), No. 124 Keyshawn Whitehorse (-60.16 points) and No. 168 Michael Lane (-64.16 points).
Alves has six World Champion exemptions remaining to crack the Top 35, while Lane is down to his last injury exemption and Whitehorse will have one more.
ROUND 1 REMATCHES
Brady Sims vs. Call The Law (86.25 points in Manchester, New Hampshire)
Colten Jesse vs. Control Freak (3.77 seconds in Fairfax, Virginia, in 2018)
Kaique Pacheco vs. The Sauce (5.43 seconds in St. Louis)
Matt Triplett vs. Assault Weapon (7.13 seconds in Kansas City, Mo.)
Sims has a chance to get back inside the Top 35 this weekend with a favorable rematch against Call The Law. Sims previously rode Call The Law for 86.25 points in Manchester.
TAYLOR RETURNING; RIDERS OUT FOR DULUTH
No. 18 Mason Taylor (right wrist) is coming back to competition sooner than expected, and has drawn Shakin (0-0, UTB) for Round 1.
Taylor has gotten a custom brace made to help him ride through his current injury, which originally was going to hold him out for 2-4 weeks. Instead, he is back in action following one week off.
“The doc said he would like me to take another week off, but I feel great,” Taylor said. “I’ve been magnawaving it every day and just taking care of it. I seen I dropped down to 18th and didn’t like to see that, so I got a brace to ride in, and going to try and take advantage of Jess and Jose being out and try to make up some much-needed ground before the summer.”
No. 31 Amadeu Campos Silva is going to give it a go in Duluth after dislocating his left shoulder in Little Rock, Arkansas, last weekend. According to Rich Blyn, Silva’s shoulder was reduced in the training room.
Silva has drawn Precious Air (1-1, UTB) for Round 1.
No. 1 Jose Vitor Leme (broken ribs)
No. 2 Jess Lockwood (torn left hamstring)
No. 19 Dakota Buttar (declined UTB spot; ineligible)
No. 20 Ryan Dirteater (thoracic fractures)
No. 21 Lachlan Richardson (declined UTB spot; ineligible)
No. 29 Cooper Davis (neck fracture)
No. 30 Brock Radford (declined UTB spot)
No. 33 Nathan Burtenshaw (shoulder)
No. 47 Cody Jesus (right groin)
No. 52 Cody Teel (right knee)
No. 91 Rubens Barbosa (broken jaw)
Dalton Kasel (groin)
Chase Outlaw (left shoulder)
Cody Nance (right shoulder)
Joe Frost (right leg)
J.B. Mauney (right shoulder)
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
© 2020 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.