KOLBABA WINS PBR’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL MAJOR IN QUÉBEC CITY

Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) went 3-for-3 to win the first event of the 2017 Monster Energy Tour at the Videotron Centre in Québec City, Quebec.

Kolbaba began the night winning Round 2 after riding Time Bomb (K-C/Josie McElroy Bucking Bulls/Spark-lin Acres) for 87.5 points. The 21-year-old followed that with an 88.5-point ride aboard Pneu-Dart’s Doomsday (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) in the championship round to claim the buckle.

The event win is Kolbaba’s fourth this season. He has won two events on the elite Built Ford Tough Series, Little Rock, Arkansas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour stop in Clovis, California.

For the win, Kolbaba earned $34,100 Canadian dollars and 300 points towards the world standings, moving him to No.3 in the world rankings. He now trails world leader Eduardo Aparecido by only 910 points and is the No.1 ranked rider in the PBR Canada national standings.

Fabiano Vieira (Pérola, Brazil) finished second, riding both of his bulls Saturday night. The Brazilian rider began the night with an 86.5-point ride aboard Mud Duck (Cornwell Bucking Bulls) in Round 2.

Vieira then logged his first 90-point ride of 2017 when he covered Jammin’ Jackson’s Handsome Jeff (K-C/Josie McElroy Bucking Bulls/Spark-lin Acres) for 90.5 points in the Championship Round.

The finish earned him $23,100 Canadian dollars and 120 points towards the world standings, elevating him from No.21 to No.18.

2016 Rookie of the Year Jess Lockwood (Volborg, Montana) finished third. The 19-year-old rode Wrongful Termination (Cornwell Bucking Bulls) for 85.5 points in Round 2 and Ram It (K-C/Josie McElroy Bucking Bulls/Spark-lin Acres) for 87 points in the Championship Round.

Lockwood leaves Québec City having earned $11,100 Canadian dollars and 80 points towards the world standings, where he is now ranked No.5.

Jordan Hansen (Okotoks, Alberta) was the event’s highest finishing Canadian in fourth. In Round 2 he covered Ottis for 85 points (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) and in the Championship Round rode Captain (Mike Miller/Torres Bros) for 87.5 points. 

Hansen’s 2-for-3 performance earned him $8,300 Canadian dollars and 60 points towards the world standings, where he is now ranked No.47 after beginning the weekend at No.55. He is now the No.2 ranked rider in the PBR Canada national standings, trailing Kolbaba by 96.67 points.

Rounding out the Top 5 was Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas). Outlaw rode Gucci Galore (Bar D / Rawhide Rodeo) for 85 points in Round 2, but bucked off Well Hello (Mike Miller/Torres Bros) in the Championship Round. Outlaw earned $7,900 Canadian dollars and 45 points towards the world standings.  

After opening in Québec City, the national series moves on to visit Ottawa on June 9; Toronto, June 24; Calgary, September 23; Winnipeg, October 6; Abbotsford, October 14; and Saskatoon, October 20 and 21, where a PBR Canadian champion will be crowned. ~ PBR Media