Gage Gay Wins First PBR Major Event of Career in New York City

Gage Gay Finishes Big in NYC
Valdiron de Oliveira Second in First Elite Tour Event Since Coming Out of Retirement

Gage Gay (Staley, North Carolina) won the first PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Major event of his career inside a raucous Madison Square Garden Sunday, taking the buckle at the season-opening 25^th PBR Unleash The Beast Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden. 

Gay, one of two perfect riders at the three-day event, won his first elite series event since 2014, when he claimed his first career buckle in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In Round 3, the 23-year-old covered Luke (Broken Arrow Bucking Bulls) for 85 points, before making the 8 aboard Cut The Chord (Broken Arrow Bucking Bulls) for 90 points in the Championship Round.

In the biggest payday of his PBR career, Gay earned $109,025.50 and 700 PBR world points. He is now the No.1 ranked rider in the world for the first time.

After retiring following the 2016 PBR World Finals, Valdiron de Oliveira (Piranhas, Brazil) finished second in his first event on the premier series in more than a year and is now ranked No. 2 in the world.

The veteran rider first rode Tractor Tippin (Jo-Z Bucking Bulls/K-C) in Round 3 for 85.75 points.

In the Championship Round, Oliveira selected Nailed (Broken Arrow Bucking Bulls), the last bull he attempted on the premier series prior to his retirement during the final round of the 2016 PBR World Finals.

Oliveira became the second perfect cowboy at “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” when he rode Nailed for 86.25 points during the final out of the event.

He collected $14,200 and 343.3 world points for his runner-up finish.

Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil) was third, earning 303.3 world points and a paycheck for $14,700.

Fresh off the best season of his career last year, Aparecido rode Call The Law (K-C/Jo-Z Bucking Bulls) for 85.75 points in the third round and made the 8 aboard Lester Gillis (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) for 89.25 points.

He is now ranked No. 3 in the world.

After logging the first 90-point ride of PBR’s 25^th anniversary season, Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) finished fourth.

Backed by his round-winning, 90.75-point trip aboard Cochise (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) in the Championship Round, Vieira earned $15,908.50 and 255 world points, propelling him to No.6 in the world.

The Top 5 was rounded out by 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas) who led the event heading into the final day of the competition.

He collected $13,850 and 200 world points for his showing in New York City, highlighted by a Round 1 win to begin the event, and is now ranked No. 9 in the world. 

Fans will be able to watch the action in its entirety at PBR.com/ondemand   ~ PBR Media