By Justin Felisko
Vieira’s intense practice session helps extend world lead in Tulsa TULSA, Okla. – World leader Joao Ricardo Vieira does not get on practice bulls too much anymore. At 37 years old, Vieira does not usually feel the need to get on bulls and risk injury. He takes pride in keeping himself in top physical condition by working out and saving his energy to square off against 1,500-pound beasts on the weekend. However, this past week was different. Vieira knew he needed to bust out of his 1-for-8 slump, so he visited Laramie Wilson’s ranch and got on nine practice bulls over three days. Vieira started with six on Tuesday, and he finished the week with two on Wednesday and one more on Thursday. “I normally don’t get on practice bulls, but this week I told myself I need to ride more bulls,” Vieira said. “I haven’t been riding good these last few events, and I was not happy about this. I need to fix this.”
The nine-time PBR World Finals qualifier was offered a re-ride in the championship round, but he turned down the chance to get on Test Drive. Vieira explained afterward he believed he could not win the event with the re-ride as he was 94.25 points behind thenleader Austin Richardson. “I rode a tough bull, and the judges gave me a little score,” Vieira said. “I don’t care to pick another bull for 85, 86 points. I needed 95 points. I don’t need 86.” Vieira extended his world lead on No. 2 Daylon Swearingen, who went 0-for-2, to 89.34 points. Vieira also pushed 184 points ahead of world No. 3 Kaique Pacheco (1-for-3). There are two Unleash The Beast events and the 2022 Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals remaining before the World Finals begin on May 13 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Article provided courtesy of PBR.
That decision paid off as Vieira went 2-for-3 at the PBR Express Ranches Classic, presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, for a fifth-place finish. It is Vieira’s best showing since winning back-toback events last month in Kansas City, Missouri, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vieira began his weekend in Tulsa with 87.75 points on Mr. Personality in Round 1 on Friday night. He bounced back from a 3.06-second buckoff vs. Satan’s Seed Saturday in Round 2 to salvage his event with 82.5 points on Cool Whip in the championship round.
Humps-Horns.com · 24 · May 2022
