PUEBLO, Colo. (March 10, 2010) - X-rays have confirmed that Valdiron de Oliveira has a broken bone in his shoulder and will be out of competition for the better part of two months.
Oliveira, currently ranked second in the world, was one of two riders named to the Brazil’s World Cup team last weekend. The injury leaves his participation in doubt, and threatens his chances of contending for a world title.
In a text message sent early Wednesday morning, Dr. Tandy Freeman clarified the extent of Oliveira’s injuries.
“Valdiron has a non-displaced fracture of the greater tuberosity of his right humeral head (broken insertion of the rotator cuff on the ball of the shoulder),” Freeman wrote. “X-rays also revealed a healing fracture of his coracoid process (biceps origin and pectoralis minor insertion site on the shoulder blade) consistent with the injury sustained in Oklahoma City. He would not come into the office for X-rays for that injury.
“Neither injury requires surgery unless he doesn’t give them a chance to heal. He will be out a minimum of six weeks, more likely eight to 12 weeks. It’s not likely that anyone could ride successfully with injury until then, because of rotator cuff weakness and pain and risk of further injury necessitating surgery and prolonged time out.”
Freeman concluded his text message by adding, “He won’t ride in the World Cup.”
Adriano Moraes, captain of Brazilian team, thinks differently.
Moraes said that he’s been in touch with Oliveira, and will leave him on the roster as an alternate, giving the 30-year-old a chance to heal.
“He’s my personal friend,” Moraes said, “so my biggest concern isn’t for the World Cup. It’s the world title. I thought he had the best chance because he’s one of the healthiest riders, even though he’s a crying baby when he gets off the bulls, but he’s a lion when he’s on them.”
Moraes said it was easy to doubt the severity of the injury, considering Oliveira would “make funny faces in the arena, like he was in serious pain,” but that afterward he would be all smiles. “I don’t know what that was about,” he added.
This weekend, Moraes and the other captains will name the remaining members of their teams.
He said that last year he went with an experienced team and it didn’t turn out the way he would have expected. He suspects some members were “too comfortable” and “maybe a little greedy.”
As a result, he intends to employ the same strategy J.W. Hart used last year when he took a relatively young American team and defeated the heavily favored Brazilians in their home country.
Moraes said he intends to “spice it up” and expect more from his team leaders.
Moraes did indicate that Renato Nunes, who is currently ranked sixth in the world standings, will not be among those named to this year’s team.
“The reason why is I need guys to be a little bit more involved in the team,” Moraes explained, “without complaining or negativity.”
Neither is Ednei Caminhas expected to be a member of this year’s team, even though the 34-year-old former World Champion has ridden in the past four short rounds, not including the Iron Cowboy Invitational.
Moraes questioned Caminhas’ consistency.
“How many bulls has he ridden in the short go? I need players who can ride anything,” he said.
World Cup rules allow captains to make discretionary changes up to seven days prior to the event. After that, changes to the roster can only be made due to injuries.
The upcoming World Cup will take place April 16, 17 and 18 in Las Vegas as the Thomas & Mack Center.
