STEPHENVILLE, Texas (October 12, 2010) - In less than two weeks, the PBR will crown its 13th World Champion in 17 years.
Over the past 10 past months, six different leaders have battled through 10 lead changes in 29 events.
There have been 20 different event winners. Austin Meier leads with five wins, but heading into New York and the last of the Final Five Showdowns, his edge over J.B. Mauney in the world standings is just 506.75 points.
“We’ve seen guys standout and fall away,” said Ty Murray, in his weekly Podcast. “[The race has] had a lot of different leaders and a lot of different twists and turns, that’s for sure.”
Friday’s bonus round for the Top 10 riders will take place in Times Square at 1 p.m. ET, and can be seen Sunday afternoon on CBS.
“It’s on the biggest stage in the biggest city in the world,” Murray said. “You’re talking about the most press the sport has ever had. It’s another chance for these Top 10 guys to test themselves – as far as going for a World Championship.
“You talk about how every bull has to count – well, now they’re in a position where it’s evident. You automatically see the ramifications when one doesn’t count.”
Looking back at how this year has played out, Murray said even the top riders in the world have been unpredictable at times, leaving open the possibility that a rider like Valdiron de Oliveira, who is fourth, could use the last seven bulls of the season to his advantage.
Oliveira is 1,734.5 points behind Meier, and while all of the Top 13 riders are all mathematically within range of the title, history suggests it will be won by one of the Top 4 riders.
No one who has competed in at least 25 events this year has a better riding average than Oliveira’s 58.33 percent, and only Guilherme Marchi and Silvano Alves have a higher percentage. Marchi is at 58.73 and rode in 22 events, while Alves is at 60.87 in 15 events.
However, while Oliveira is statistically one of the most consistent riders since debuting on the BFTS a few years ago, he isn’t known for huge scores – his 92-pointer last weekend in Columbus, Ohio, notwithstanding.
“We’re watching the Top 3 guys at times have trouble just getting their bulls rode,” Murray pointed out. “You have to get a score first. Don’t think that with the way this particular race is shaping up, that couldn’t end up playing a very huge role in this. If those guys are getting zeros, it isn’t going to matter if Valdiron is getting an 86 or an 89.”
During his 18-minute Podcast, Murray talked in-depth about each of the top contenders, and tried to put into perspective how each of them might be feeling – physically, emotionally and mentally – as the season comes to a close.
“Right now the biggest thing on their plate is the bull in New York,” he said.
NEWS AND NOTES
TUNE IN and watch the Built Ford Tough Road to Vegas on CBS. The last of the Final Five Showdowns, it will take place in Times Square on Friday at 1 p.m. ET, and be broadcast Sunday afternoon. Check your local listings for times in your area.
GENERAL PUBLIC TICKETS go on sale Friday, Oct. 15 for the Madison Square Garden Invitational and the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational. The New York event, which takes place Jan. 7, 8 and 9, is the first BFTS event of the 2011 season. The Iron Cowboy is the second year in a row the PBR will hold a one-day event at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Tickets can be ordered by calling 800-745-3000.
RIDING HIGH MINISTRIES will host Faith & Family Night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, immediately following Round 2 of the 2010 Built Ford Tough World Finals on Thursday, Oct. 21. The event will feature Christian artist Jeremy Riddle, PBR Champions sharing stories of faith, and a unique horse-breaking demonstration by PBR Chaplain Todd Pierce. Everyone with a ticket for Round 2 is invited to attend.
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