He’s earned four round wins—three of which have some in the first four elite televised events and another at the Velocity event he won.
“I really want it,” said Leme, of his desire to win when he’s competing against the Top 35 bull riders in the world, “and I get more points if I win that event.”
For Leme, he said it’s about getting his mind right.
He’s been rather machine-like since arriving 15 months ago.
Another Monster rider who has been focused is Chase Outlaw.
Outlaw went through hell in 2018—to say the least—and has been riding bulls at a career-high 65 percent this season.
He’s been 9-for-15 at the elite level for 60 percent and 4-for-4 at Velocity events and 13-for-20 over all since the end of the World Finals.
Two-time World Champion Justin McBride said, “He’s an exciting little guy to watch.”
He damn-near earned his second round-win on Saturday night with 89.75 points on a bull named Squirrel in the second round of competition. He opened up with his outside leg and entertained the crowd and the judges for 8-seconds.
“When he goes to opening up on one, he does it with a purpose,” McBride said.
Leme and Outlaw are currently ranked third and fourth in the PBR world standings.
It comes as no surprise the top two riders in the world standings have each won a pair of elite televised events in January.
“That’s what I want and that’s what I’m going to do,” Leme said.
Fellow Monster Energy teammate J.B. Mauney became a father on Tuesday night down in Cottula, Texas – which is located hallway between San Antonio and the Mexican border town of Laredo, Texas – but that didn’t stop the two-time World Champion from making it to Sacramento by Friday night.
He made a really good ride on Sunday afternoon for 88 points, but the backside of his lower left leg was stepped on afterward.
He missed the Championship Round.
And although x-rays confirmed a broken fibula, he confirmed with PBR.com that he will be in Oklahoma City this weekend.
In addition to Leme, Outlaw and Mauney, Derek Kolbaba and Marco Eguchi will also be representing Monster Energy at the Chesapeake Energy Arena for the two-day event on Friday and Saturday.