DENVER, Colo. – Bruno Carvalho (Alvares Florence, Brazil) proved unbeatable Wednesday night, topping a field of 90 bull riders to win the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s (PWVT) Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show.
Carvalho was the only rider to go 3-for-3 in Denver, able to surpass monster 90-point scores from runner up Cassio Dias (Sao F. de Sales, Brazil) and John Crimber (Decatur, Texas), who finished third,
The rare midweek event in Denver showcased a distinctive format for fans. The initial lineup featured 90 riders competing in Round 1, which split riders into two groups across the first two nights of competition.
On Monday night, 45 riders each attempted one bull. Round 1 then concluded on Tuesday with the remaining 45 riders who did not compete Monday, attempting one bull each. With both Velocity Global points and Unleash The Beast points on the line, the competition was at an all-time high.
During Monday’s opening round, Carvalho, who rides for the Arizona Ridge Riders during the separate PBR Teams league, paired up with Forbidden Legacy for 85.8 points. The score punched his ticket into Round 2 on Wednesday night, but the 25-year-old athlete had a lot of ground to gain, sitting in tied with Brody Robinson (Galax, Virginia) for the No. 14 spot on the leaderboard.
As Round 2 began on Wednesday night, the Top 30 riders from Round 1 readied themselves to each face another bull in hopes of qualifying for the championship round. The 15 bull riders with the top combined ride scores following the first two rounds then advanced to the final championship round.
In Round 2, Carvalho was paired with Wild Mustard, firing out of the chutes for an impressive 86.3 points to commandeer seventh place.
Laser-focused in the championship round on Wednesday night, he was matched with Smokin Hot. Rocketing out of the chutes and bouncing across the dirt, Carvalho moved to the top of the leaderboard with an 84-point score.
Two-time PBR Teams MVP John Crimber, readied on the chutes as the last man of the night, after previously recording 91.10 points on Scrappy in Round 1. Knowing that a qualified ride would move Crimber from third place on the leaderboard to overtaking Carvalho, the Denver crowd was on its feet. However, the talented 20-year-old hit the ground after a mere 3.02 seconds – cementing the win for Carvalho.
For his 3-for-3 week, Carvalho leaves Colorado with a check for $20,097.92 and 119 Velocity Global points, putting him at No. 22 in the Velocity standings.
2024 PBR World Champion Cassio Dias (Sao F. de Sales, Brazil) claimed second place in Denver after going 2-for-3.
The Kansas City Outlaws star was successful in Round 1 after he conquered Kobi’s Train Station for 88.9 points.
In Round 2, he faltered when paired with Rip. Despite the buck off as Wednesday night began, the former world champion made the Top 15 in the championship round courtesy of his third-place spot in Round 1.
Recording the highest ride score in final round after a 90.4-point monster ride aboard Ghost Face, Dias departs Colorado with 96 Velocity Global points to sit at No. 12 in the Unleash The Beast world standings and No. 26 in the Velocity standings.
With a 2-for-3 week at Denver Coliseum, Crimber earned a third-place finish.
After a second-place finish in Round 1 courtesy of his 91.10-point score on Scrappy, Florida Freedom’s Crimber kept the momentum going in Round 2 aboard Snappy for 87.4 points to sit atop the leaderboard as the final round got underway.
Watching as Dias charged ahead on the leaderboard and Carvalho surpassed them both, Crimber was in a must-ride situation to reclaim the lead but fell short. Despite the setback, Crimber leaves the prestigious, time-honored event with 72 Velocity Global points. The additional points earned in Denver moved Crimber from No. 12 in the UTB standings to No. 7.
Utah cowboy Kade Madsen (Perola, Brazil) secured a fourth-place finish overall despite a setback in the opening round.
After Swirl Your Glass cut their dance short in the opening round after 7.2 seconds, the 20-year-old who just recently resumed bull riding after a two-year church mission, charged back in full force in Round 2. His second round 90-point score aboard Stryker secured first place and pushed him through to the championship showdown.
Headed into his final matchup of the week, the Missouri Thunder man knew he had to hit the gas. Firing out of the chutes aboard Ringling Road for a crowd pleasing 87.3 points.
With a qualified ride in Round 2 and the championship, he earned 67 Velocity Global points, moving to No. 8 in the Velocity Global standings and No. 17 in the UTB standings.
Rounding out the Top 5 at the Denver Coliseum was Austin Gamblers standout Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria, Brazil).
After sailing through Round 1 aboard Mayor of Hogeye for 86.2 points, Barbosa was paired with Another Lunatic in Round 2. Launching from the chutes and remaining in control, the 31-year-old turned in an 83.9-point ride.
The championship round saw a matchup of Barbosa and Splash Tide that ended his week abruptly after just 5.12 seconds.
Barbosa returns home after collecting 48.5 Velocity Global points for his 2-for-3 week.
The talented bull riders of the PWVT will next head to Charleston, West Virginia, for the Kubota PBR Charleston at the Charleston Coliseum Jan. 16-17. Additionally, in a double-up weekend, the PWVT will also be in Ontario, California, for the PBR Ontario on Jan.16-17 at Toyota Arena.