In the heart of Hampton, Virginia, the electrifying spectacle unfolded within the iconic confines of Hampton Coliseum. Amidst the thunderous cheers and palpable excitement, Dener Barbosa of Paulo de Faria, Brazil, ascended to an illustrious victory at the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s GovX PBR Hampton.
Facing an early setback in Round 1 aboard Rip Tide from Davis Rodeo Ranch, Barbosa rallied with sheer determination. Rematched with the formidable The Undertaker from Cornwell/Riley/PCP Bucking Bulls, Barbosa unleashed his prowess, thrilling the crowd with an 86-point ride to clinch the opening round.
Undeterred, Barbosa maintained his momentum in Round 2, showcasing his mastery atop Smooth Kat from Cornwell Bucking Bulls, securing an impressive 85 points and solidifying his position at the summit for the championship round.
In a riveting climax, Barbosa mounted Diamond in the Ruff from Cowtown Rodeo, but despite his valiant effort, was ultimately bucked off after 3.64 seconds. Nonetheless, his triumph earned him 125 Velocity Global points, underscoring his dominance in the arena.
Following closely in second place was Kyler Oliver of Roy, Utah, displaying remarkable resilience throughout the competition. Despite an early setback against Frosty from Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls in Round 1, Oliver surged back, claiming victory in Round 2 atop CB’s Buck Naked from LH Cattle Co./Chandler Cattle Co. with an event-high score of 86.5 points.
However, Oliver's aspirations were cut short in the championship round as he faced the formidable challenge of Dirty Deeds from Cornwell Bucking Bulls/Waggoner Bucking Bulls, ultimately falling after 4.03 seconds, yet securing a crucial 78 Velocity Global points.
In third place stood the seasoned Ederson Santos of Ilha Soteria, Brazil, showcasing his unwavering determination. Despite an early setback against Sandman from Cornwell Bucking Bulls/Waggoner Bucking Bulls, Santos roared back in Round 2 atop Bomb Diggity from Davis Rodeo Ranch, earning a commendable 86 points.
However, his quest for victory was thwarted in his final outing aboard Kingdom from Cowtown Rodeo, enduring a swift defeat after 3.04 seconds. Nevertheless, his bronze finish earned him 54 Velocity Global points, a testament to his skill and tenacity.
Australian contender Qynn Andersen of Koumala, Queensland, Australia, delivered a spirited performance, tying for fourth place alongside three other riders. Despite a challenging Round 1 encounter with Scotty Potty from Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls, Andersen showcased remarkable resilience, rebounding in Round 2 atop Day Time Demond to enter the Top 5.
However, his hopes were dashed in the championship round as he faced Cutthroat from Cornwell Bucking Bulls, succumbing after 3.22 seconds.
In the pursuit of glory, Mason Taylor of Maypearl, Texas, showcased his prowess atop Send It from Davis Rodeo Ranch/Adult Decisions in Round 1, only to face disappointment after 1.71 seconds. Undeterred, Taylor rallied in Round 2, conquering Hoobastank from Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls with 84 points, securing his spot in the final round. Despite his efforts, Taylor's title aspirations were dashed by Trinity from Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls, culminating in a fourth-place finish and 28.5 Velocity Global points.
The competition also witnessed a compelling tie for fourth place between Caleb Cantrell of Honea Patch, South Carolina, and Tyler Crank of Saint Hedwig, Texas. Despite their early setbacks in Round 1, both riders showcased resilience in Round 2, each earning 84 points. However, their quest for the championship title was cut short in the final round, marking the end of their journey in Hampton.
The dynamic performances not only captivated the audience but also showcased the sheer talent and grit of the riders. With Velocity Global points contributing to the Velocity Global Standings and determining future prospects, the stakes were higher than ever. As the dust settled, the dominant bull pen, led by Dirty Deeds, emerged triumphant, securing the coveted Bull of the Event Title for his stellar performance in the championship round, marking 44 points and etching his name in PBR history.
