After the steadfast Brazilian rider fired out of the chutes aboard Anthrax (EVP Bucking Bulls), the crowd’s cheers rose to a deafening level inside of Golden 1 Center as the ride score of 88 points was announced.
 
The Round 1 effort earned Leme $3,580 in addition to 20 world points. Moving from No. 6 in the world standings to No.5, Leme now trails No. 1 Jess Lockwood (Volborg, Montana) by a mere 118.5 points.
 
The heated world title race of 2019 between Lockwood and Leme made a triumphant return Friday night inside of Golden 1 Center with Lockwood finishing in second place.
 
The two-time World Champion maintained his hold on the No.1 spot in the world standings with an impressive ride aboard Cold Water Willie (D&H Cattle Company) for 87.75 points. His successful 8 seconds earned him $2,750, in addition to 10 world points.
 
In a night dominated by the bulls, where only 10 qualified rides were recorded, the 2019 Sacramento winner and current No. 2 man in the world standings Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) was disposed by Tupac (Hawkins Bucking Bulls/ B Bar) after just 2.53 seconds. Vieira now trails Lockwood by 24.5 points.
 
Claudio Montanha Jr. (Pacaembu Sao Paulo, Brazil) finished third in Round 1 courtesy of his 87.5-point trip on Twisted X (Hawkins Bucking Bulls/ Arthur Saabye/ B Bar). The young Brazilian earned 9 world points and a check for $2,000.
 
Montanha Jr. is now ranked No. 17 in the world, rising from the No. 22 position at the start of the event.  
 
In his regular-season debut, Leandro Machado (Nova Esperanca, Brazil) conquered Danny Boy (D&H Cattle Co/ Gordon/ OK Corralis). The No. 67 ranked rider made the 8 for 86.5 points to earn $1,300 and 8 world points.
 
Young gun Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas) enters Round 2 on Saturday night in fifth place after riding Hitman (EVP Bucking Bulls/ EJ Cattle) for 86 points in Round 1.
 
The Top 5 finish earned the Texas cowboy $850 and 7 world points. Mitchell advanced from his No. 71 spot in the world standings to No. 52.
 
The best bull riders in the world will return to Golden 1 Center on Saturday, Jan. 25 for Round 2 of the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic. The night will also feature a special 15/15 Bucking Battle round.  
Fans can relive all the action from Round 1 starting on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 8 a.m. EST on RidePass.com or via the RidePass mobile App.
 
PBR Unleash The Beast - Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic
Golden 1 Center -Sacramento, California
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Event Aggregate-Event Points)
1. Jose Vitor Leme, 88-0-0-0-88.00-20 Points.
2. Jess Lockwood, 87.75-0-0-0-87.75-10 Points.
3. Claudio Montanha Jr., 87.5-0-0-0-87.50-9 Points.
4. Leandro Machado, 86.5-0-0-0-86.50-8 Points.
5. Ezekiel Mitchell, 86-0-0-0-86.00-7 Points.
6. Daylon Swearingen, 85.75-0-0-0-85.75-6 Points.
7. Junio Quaresima, 85-0-0-0-85.00-5 Points.
8. Bradley Brittain, 82-0-0-0-82.00-4 Points.
9. Marco Eguchi, 75.5-0-0-0-75.50-3 Points.
10. Fabiano Vieira, 70-0-0-0-70.00-2 Points.
João Ricardo Vieira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Kaique Pacheco, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Colten Jesse, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Mason Taylor, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Dener Barbosa, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Derek Kolbaba, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Matt Triplett, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Aaron Kleier, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Eduardo Aparecido, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Brady Sims, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Taylor Toves, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Jake Lockwood, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Brady Fielder, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Dylan Smith, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Ramon de Lima, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Shay Marks, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Lawson Nobbs, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Cody Jesus, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Silvano Alves, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Alisson De Souza, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Cody Teel, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Lucas Divino, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Stetson Lawrence, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Luciano De Castro, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Gage Gay, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Brennon Eldred, 0-0-0-0-0.00

By PBR Press Release