Austin Gamblers return after successful bull riding pro series debut in 2022
The Austin Gamblers have found another ace as the professional bull riding team embarks on its second season.
The Gamblers already have a stacked deck when it comes to the Professional Bull Riders Team Series. The 2022 PBR regular-season champions are off to a good start in 2023 with the addition of Adriano Salgado, regarded as one of the best riders in the world.
Salgado, 24, recently signed a free-agent deal to join Austin's professional bull riding team. Last year he led the Missouri Thunder in total rides (27), qualified rides (15) and overall ride percentage (55.6%). A native of Brazil, he finished sixth in the PBR MVP race last year.
Speaking of Brazilian cowboys, he joins countryman Jose Vitor Leme on Austin's team. Lemi is No. 1 in the PBR world standings. A two-time world champion and 2022 PBR Team Series MVP, he will be back to lead Austin's team. Also returning is Dalton Kasel, a native of Muleshoe, the No. 2 bull rider in PBR.
Joining Leme, Kasel and Salgado on the Gamblers' initial seven-man protected roster are Austin Richardson, Ramon de Lima, Ezekiel Mitchell and Lucas Divino. All seven riders have deep Texas ties. Mitchell, Richardson and Kasel are native Texans, and though the rest of the riders are Brazilian, they all live in Decatur.
More: Gambler Days were a hit in Austin in 2022
The next important date on the Gamblers' calendar is May 17 for the second annual PBR Team Series draft. Before that, there will be three Team Series combines on March 14-16 in Archdale, N.C.; March 28-30 in Pueblo, Colo.; and April 25-27 in Bowie. PBR anticipates a minimum of 100 riders participating in the combines before the draft.
The Gamblers, coached by PBR legend and former world champion Michael Gaffney, will be spotlighted in the PBR Team Series’ Gambler Days at Moody Center on Aug. 25-27.
PBR Team Series schedule
July 24-25: PBR Team Series, Cheyenne Frontier Days (Cheyenne, Wyo.)
Aug. 3-5: PBR Outlaw Days (Kansas City, Mo.)
Aug. 12-13: PBR Team Series, Anaheim (Anaheim, Calif.)
Aug. 18-20: PBR Stampede Days (Nashville, Tenn.)
Aug. 25-27: PBR Gambler Days (Austin)
Sept. 8-10: PBR Freedom Fest (Oklahoma City)
Sept. 15-17: PBR Thunder Days (Ridgedale, Mo.)
Sept. 22-24: PBR Cowboy Days (Greensboro, N.C.)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: PBR Ridge Rider Days (Glendale, Ariz.)
Oct. 6-8: PBR Rattler Days (Fort Worth)
Oct. 20-22: Team Series Championship (Las Vegas)
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: As they prepare for their second season, Austin Gamblers add an ace
