Comeback ride for world competitor
USA star confirms he will come to Australia
COLUMBIA Falls Montana, USA, bull rider Matt Triplett has confirmed he will be competing at the Cairns Invitational on June 2.
“Heck yeah. I’m looking forward to heading back Down Under – great people and great bulls,” he said.
“I always enjoy my time in Australia.”
Triplett was an ascending star in the PBR, finishing third in the 2014 PBR world standings and fifth in 2015.
He missed the PBR World Finals in 2016 because of shoulder surgery.
He was in title contention last year before suffering a torn labrum in September.
Triplett rested a month before competing in the PBR World Finals, and finished 19th overall.
“It was my second shoulder surgery. I came back too soon,” he admitted.
“I was in tremendous pain the whole time.
“I couldn’t lift my free arm. “Every time I tried to ride, my shoulder would come out.
“I was lucky to ride one bull in Las Vegas.”
After the surgery in Dallas, Triplett had to keep his shoulder immobile for six weeks.
Since then, he’s been attending therapy sessions five days a week.
His first event back was two weeks ago at the Last Cowboy Standing in Las Vegas.
He finished sixth overall and his
bid to qualify for another PBR World Finals was under way.
“I’ll go hard this summer,” he said.
“I’ve been in this situation before. I’m not saying I can’t get back in the top 10.”
Going hard for Triplett includes the long haul to Australia.
A win in Cairns will move him further up the World Rankings.
On his last visit to Australia in November 2016, he took home more than his fair share of the money and valuable world points.
It included winning the Brendan Clarke Invitational at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
He brought the packed house to their feet with a 90.75 point ride on Robert Bunn’s bull Acid Rain.
Triplett will be just one of the internationals who will be competing alongside the top ranked Australians in Cairns.
For the Aussie riders, this event will be their last chance to secure a position in the Australian Global Cup team that will go into camp in Cairns the following morning.
Team Australia will then fly to Sydney on Wednesday, June 6, and prepare to defend their home turf at the Qudos Bank Arena June 9 and 10.
Visit pbraustralia.com.au for tickets.