CENTRAL Queensland thrill seekers returned to the Great Western Hotel in Rockhampton on Saturday for the annual Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Monster Energy 2020 Tour.
Although, operating in Covid-safe guidelines, the PBR still managed to put on a great show for fans, with 30 adrenaline-seeking cowboys taking on some of the toughest beasts in the industry.
Two-time and reigning Australia Champion Aaron Kleier, Cleremont began the event with momentum, tying for the second-best score in Round 1, when he reached the 8-second whistle aboard Drag Iron (Dunne Bulls) for 84.5 points.
Facing the toughest Brandenburg Bucking Bulls, Kleier remained confident, matching the bull jump-for-jump en route to an 85-point score.
Finishing a mere one point ahead of event runner-up Lachlan Richardson, Gresford, New South Wales, Kleier's victory earned him a check for $2,006.40, in addition to a crucial 72.5 points.
The Queensland cowboy retained his No. 2 rank in the national standings, however cut into No. 1 Richardson's lead.
Kleier is now within 44.5 points of the seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier, after beginning the event 58 points back.
Should Kleier once again win the PBR Australia Championship in 2020 he would become the first rider in league history to win the nation's championship in three consecutive seasons.
Kleier is also on the verge of earning his first-ever PBR World Finals qualification, presently ranked inside the well-known Top 35 threshold.
Returning for redemption in the second round, 22-year-old Sam Woodall, Heywood, Victoria captured his career-first PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Australia event win, delivering a flawless 2-for-2 performance at the elite Monster Energy Tour's Rockhampton Invitational.
The Victoria native began the event on a high note, covering Iron Jacket (Peter Wallace) for 86 points, the second-best score of Round 1.
Woodall cemented his career-first win when he recorded the high-marked of the championship round, an 87.5-point ride on Barn Yard (Fred Kleier).
Woodall's flawless finish netted him $2,291.40 along with 77 national points, allowing him to gain critical ground in the national standings as he seeks his first-ever qualification to the PBR Australia Grand Finals on November 20-21 in Townsville, Queensland at the Townsville Event Centre.
Following the success of the Rockhampton double-header, the PBR heads to the Beaudesert Invitational on Saturday, October 31.
- For tickets to the Beaudesert Invitational click here.
Rockhampton PBR Results
Round 1: PBR Rockhampton 1PM Invitational 1
- Aaron Kleier, 84.5-85-169.5-$2,006.40-72.52.
- Lachlan Richardson, 82.5-86-168.5-$1,607.40-593.
- Jay Borghero, 86-0-86-$1,219.80-454.
- Jake Curr, 84.5-0-84.5-$627-30.55.
- Caiden Sandilands, 83-0-83-$239.40-166
- (tie). Lachlan Slade, 82-0-82-$0-7 Eli Bee, 82-0-82-$0-78.
- Ben Gard, 78.5-0-78.5-$0-49.
- Braydon Wellby, 76.5-0-76.5-$0-2.
Round 2: PBR Rockhampton 6PM Invitational 2
- Sam Woodall, 86-87.5-173.5- $2,291.40-772.
- Lachlan Richardson, 84-85-169- $1,379.40-583.
- Lawson Nobbs, 87.5-0-87.5- $1,219.80-454.
- Kurt Shephard, 84.5-0-84.5- $570-295.
- Jay Borghero, 83-0-83- $239.40-146.
- Caiden Sandilands, 82.5-0-82.5- $0-87.
- Braydon Wellby, 81.5-0-81.5- $0-68.
- Bailey Woodard, 80-0-80- $0-4