PUEBLO, Colo. (July 5, 2010) - If it wasn’t for injuries, Robson Palermo would perhaps be the most anticipated rider to win a World Championship this year and in years to come.
But injuries are often as telling as any statistic when it comes to determining who winds up winning the gold buckle and the $1 million bonus that goes along with it.
Just how much of a factor have injuries been throughout Palermo’s career?
The 26-year-old was only planning to attend a couple of Touring Pro events this summer, while spending the majority of his time in the gym, working to shed another 10 pounds and improving his flexibility.
However, after making the whistle on the first bull of the one lower-level event he attended, he had an awkward dismount that resulted in being stepped on. The mishap left him with a torn biceps muscle.
This latest injury won’t require surgery, and it happened early enough in the eight-week summer break that, according to Dr. Tandy Freeman, Palermo isn’t expected to miss the upcoming PBR event in Tulsa, Okla. But he will suffer from a residual loss of strength.
Much like Guilherme Marchi, Palermo relies on his strength, and this particular injury could have more of an impact on the last part of the season than his wrist and shoulder injury played during the first two-thirds of the season.
Riding percentage: 57.6 (2010), 49.7 (career); Influential ride from 2010: Albuquerque, Round 1, Mission Accomplished, 91 points; Most telling statistic of 2010: Although 15 different riders have won BFTS events, Palermo is the only rider ranked in the Top 5 without a win in 2010.
In the sixth of a 10-part series, a panel of experts – Cody Lambert, Ty Murray, Justin McBride and Justin McKee – weigh in on the current Top 10 riders in the world, and what it will take for any one of them to win the 2010 PBR World Championship.
What the experts are saying:
Cody Lambert: “He’s solid. He’s focused. He can ride every kind of bull, and he’s certainly a World Champion contender in my mind. But the only issue is if he’s hurt or not, because he’s limped out of arena a lot of times.”
Ty Murray: “I talk to Robson a lot and, as I understand, he got stepped on and got his biceps torn. That’s definitely going to play some sort of role. I’m not a doctor, so I’m not weighing in on any of that, but I do think Robson Palermo is definitely a World Champion candidate. He rides as good as anyone there is, but this far in his career, he’s been lazy about it. He’s so talented that he’s been lazy about it. If Robson Palermo lost eight pounds and was in McKennon Wimberly’s shape, I would bet on him without a doubt – and I’ve talked to him about this. He’s a little heavy, and when I say heavy, I don’t mean fat or out of shape. He’s thick and he’s not really flexible, pound for pound strong, or a quick, flexible guy. He’s built like a fullback. He’s that good that his ability allows him to be lazy about that part of it, but so far it hasn’t allowed him to win a World Championship.”
Justin McBride: “It surprises me that Robson’s not in first place. I think Robson has got a lot of talent, but I don’t know, he’s always banged up. But, I think, Robson has all the tools to be a World Champion.”
Justin McKee: “If he could stay healthy, he would win it all.”
Chance of winning title in 2010:
Lambert: “(The torn biceps) could play into it, because he needs that strength. If that takes it away from him, then he won’t be the champion, but he’s certainly a contender. He’s focused on the ride. He’s not focused on the dance afterwards. He’s solid and he knows what he’s doing… He’s tough and he has the mentality that he’s supposed to ride every bull.”
Murray: “I believe, with every fiber in my soul, that if he would lose eight pounds, get incredibly flexible and in shape like McKennon Wimberly and Austin Meier, they wouldn’t be able to touch him. I believe that with my heart and soul, and I’d bet anything in the world on it… He hasn’t reached his potential – just because of that.”
McKee: “To me, if he stays healthy, he wins. If he’s healthy, he beats (Guilherme) Marchi this year, but he won’t be.”
McBride: “Injuries are such a pisser of a deal. I’ve been through several of them and there isn’t anything you can do about them other than (get healthy) and come back.”
