A pair of Brazilian riders lead the way following the opening two rounds of the 2018 PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville, Queensland.
Rubens Barbosa was perfect on the opening night, kicking off his evening with 87-points on Shots (Dittmann Bucking Bulls). The bull turned back to the left and give his usual honest performance to be marked 42.75 points. Barbosa took home top points in Round 1.
The veteran then added 84.75 points on Super Natural from Wallace Bucking Bulls.
Barbosa on Super Natural. Credit: @Ride the Rage
His total of 171.75 points leads the way from fellow countryman Lucas Divino who was also 2-for-2 on the night.
Divino opened his account with an 82.50 point ride aboard Jackie Who (Dunne Bulls) and stayed perfect with 82-points on Ryans Gangster (BK Bucking Bulls) for a 164.50 point total.
The Round 2 winner was Lane Mellers who combined with Tough Task (Dunne Bulls) for the high marked ride of the night. He was awarded 87.25 points which places him third in the aggregate standings following Night 1.
Current PBR Australia No. 1 Aaron Kleier opened his Finals with an 84.25 point ride on Booger Man (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) and that was enough to place third in Round 1.
POA Fully Locked & Loaded (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) needed to put up the high marked out of the night to dislodge the 19-year-old in Round 2. He scored 44.75 points for the 4.09-second buck off.
Kleier vs Fully Locked & Loaded. Credit: @Ride the Rage
With rivals Cliff Richardson and Cody Heffernan both ending the night 0-for-2 and Fraser Babbington missing the night after travel issues, Kleier was able to increase his lead in the PBR Australian National Standings to over 900 points.
There are still 2000 points available on Saturday night so all four contenders are still in contention.
Round 1 Results
1 – Rubens Barbosa 87
2 – Michael Smith 84.5
3 – Aaron Kleier 84.25
4 – Lucas Divino 82.5
4 – Toby Leake 82.5
6 – Braydon Wellby 78.5
7 – Kurt Shephard 76
Round 2 Results
1 – Lane Mellers 87.25
2 – Bailey Woodard 86.75
3 – Ryan Storey 85
4 – Rubens Barbosa 84.75
5 – Lucas Divino 82
6 – Rohan Markham 81.75
Aggregate Standings after Round 2
1 – Rubens Barbosa 171.8
2 – Lucas Divino 164.5
3 – Lane Mellers 87.25
4 – Bailey Woodard 86.75
5 – Ryan Storey 85
6 – Michael Smith 84.5
7 – Aaron Kleier 84.25
8 – Toby Leake 82.5
9 – Rohan Markham 81.75
10 – Braydon Wellby 78.5
11 – Kurt Shephard 76