PUEBLO, Colo. (June 28, 2010) - Last year, the back-and-forth dogfight between Kody Lostroh and J.B. Mauney provided the Built Ford Tough Series with plenty of excitement. This year has been equally thrilling—but for other reasons.
“We thought at the end of the Finals last year, that that fight was going to continue,” said Ty Murray, in a Podcast posted this afternoon at www.pbr.tv. But as bull riding can sometimes do, the tables have turned.”
Reigning World Champion Lostroh is out until October after undergoing surgeries to his left shoulder and elbow. Mauney, who missed the better part of two events because of a partially collapsed lung, has struggled with consistency in the first part of 2010 because of injuries to his knee and elbow.
But even without the top two finishers from 2009, the rest of the top riders in the world have captivated fans during the first 20 of 30 events.
Fifteen different riders account for BFTS wins, with No. 2 ranked Austin Meier having won four in his battle with world No. 1 Renato Nunes. But with 10 events yet to play out, in addition to the Final Five Chase, it’s anyone’s title to win.
“You’re literally talking about 10 guys who are in the thick of it,” Murray said.
Murray commented on the fact that it’s “real exciting” to think 10 riders are still in the mix, and went on to say that there’s more to winning a world title than simply riding well. Health is an obvious concern when talking about contenders.
“That’s the thing about professional sports,” he said. “You can’t ever tell how it’s going to play out, and that’s why you play the game, and why, so far this year, we have a heck of one going.”
Murray’s entire interview can be heard by logging on to www.pbr.tv and selecting the “Final Word” tab on the left-hand column. Murray’s weekly Podcast is posted every Monday throughout the BFTS.
Having looked back at the first portion of the 2010 season, Murray will lend his analysis the “Top 10 countdown” series in the coming two weeks. The first of the 10-part series can be read here.
