2020 Season Rewind: Top 5 Rides in Duluth

By: Darci Miller

PUEBLO, Colo. – Through nine events of the Unleash The Beast schedule, there has been no shortage of rank rides and incredible moments.

The Gwinnett Invitational, held in Duluth, Georgia, was an event like no other the PBR has ever seen. Closed to fans due to government regulations, the world’s best bull riders competed in an entirely empty Infinite Energy Center. But the extraordinary circumstances did not change the task at hand, and Dener Barbosa was up to that task two years after seeing his 2018 world title dreams end in the very same city.

The PBR may be on hiatus, but you don’t have to miss out on all the action. Read on to relive the Top 5 rides, and tune into CBS Sports Network on Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. ET to watch the Gwinnett Invitational.

1. Mauricio Moreira – 91.25 points on Big Black, championship round

 
In just his second premier series event, Moreira made quite the impression, going 2-for-3 to finish second overall. In the championship round, Moreira went for broke in selecting Big Black, and the choice paid off to the tune of 91.25 points. The score not only won Moreira the round, but was the first 90-point ride of his premier series career.

2. Dener Barbosa – 91 points on Bullseye, championship round

 
In 2018, Dener Barbosa broke his foot in Duluth when he was ranked No. 3 in the world, and would go on to finish the season ranked No. 15. In 2020, however, Barbosa won his first event of the season – and first event since 2017 – with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, including a 91-point ride on Bullseye to clinch the victory. Barbosa is now ranked No. 6 in the world, and his 2020 world title dreams could just be beginning.

3. Daylon Swearingen – 89 points on Lil 2 Train, championship round

 
Less than one year after making his premier series debut, Swearingen is having a breakout season. He’s won both the first event and first 15/15 Bucking Battle of his career, and is currently ranked No. 4 in the world standings. In Duluth, Swearingen went 2-for-3 to finish third overall, and placed third in the championship round with his 89-point trip on Lil 2 Train.

 

4. Tye Chandler – 88.5 points on Skeeter Peter, Round 2

 
Chandler made his UTB debut in 2018, and Duluth saw his best performance to date. He finished fourth overall, and won Round 2 with his 88.5-point ride on Skeeter Peter – the highest-scoring ride of his premier series career.

5. Mauricio Moreira – 87.75 points on Freakin Wicked, Round 1

 
Not only did Moreira go 2-for-3 in Duluth, he also won two rounds with those two rides. He took the Round 1 victory with 87.75 points on Freakin Wicked.

© 2020 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.