Michael Lane attempts to ride Obernagel/Sho-Me Rodeo Not Yet during the Wheeling PBR Velocity Tour in 2023. (Photo by Gary Wendell)

WHEELING — The Professional Bull Riders Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour returns to WesBanco Arena in Wheeling this weekend for two days of action beginning at 8 p.m. today, Friday, March 15, and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

Presented by Oglebay Resort, this year’s PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour stop will mark the tour’s 10th visit to Wheeling.

For two nights only, the best bull riders in the world will duel with the rankest bovines born to buck in an unpredictable, must-see David vs. Goliath showdown.

The PBR events do not take place a rodeo format. It is two hours of pyro, music and the most intense bull riding action the world has to offer, filled with heart-pounding, bone-crushing action, and a star-studded lineup of the world’s best riders and animal athletes.

Last year in Wheeling in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at WesBanco Arena, Alex Marcilio of Macaubal, Brazil, rode supreme, picking up his second Velocity Tour win of the season courtesy of a 2-for-3 performance.

One of nine riders to make the cut in an action-packed weekend, Marcilio entered the final day of competition tied for third after covering Crossin the Delta Line in Round 1. After faltering in Round 2, the Brazilian rallied and rocketed to the top of the leaderboard by recording the only ride in the final round for 85.5 points on Keep’em Guessin.

Professional riders from across the U.S. and around the world will appear during the weekend’s events.

Michael Lane of Tazewell, Virginia, finished third last season in Wheeling, and this year, the veteran enters WesBanco Arena after competing on the elite Unleash The Beast for the past three weeks. Looking to hone his craft after going a respectable 2-for-7 on the top tour, Lane rejoins the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour ranked No. 8 in the Velocity Global standings. One of the sport’s most determined contenders, Lane has battled through numerous injuries as he seeks one goal — to be crowned PBR World Champion. With his career beginning at the young age of 4, fast forward nearly 30 years, and Lane has excelled on some of bull riding’s biggest stages, a feat he dreamt of as a child. This weekend, he looks to continue his success in Wheeling, where he has competed seven times and recorded four Top 10 finishes.

Michael Lane attempts to ride D4 Cattle Co./Fabulous lV Bucking Bulls Chickasaw during the short round of the Wheeling WV PBR Photo by Gary Wendell

PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization, with more than 800 bull riders competing in more than 200 events annually. The PBR’s Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour began in 2014 as the premier expansion tour for the PBR. The Velocity Tour, the sport’s fastest-growing tour, brings the excitement and top levels of cowboy and bovine talent that fans have come to expect from the sport to cities across the United States.

The PWVT is proudly supported by Pendleton Whisky, Boot Barn, Cooper Tires, Rank 45, South Point Hotel and Casino, Tractor Supply, Kubota, the United States Border Patrol, Camping World, Curt Trailer Hitches, Visit Corpus Christi, Zip Recruiter and GovX.

Every Velocity Tour event is carried on PBR RidePass on Pluto TV, PBR’s flagship digital network.

This weekend at Oglebay, a delectable pre-event Cowby Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 16, in Oglebay’s West Ballrooms at Wilson Lodge and get a chance to mingle with everyone’s favorite PBR cowboys.

Reserve your spot on OpenTable or call 304-243-4080. A portion of the event proceeds will go towards benefiting the Oglebay Foundation’s Access to the Parks program.

In addition, there will be a free meet and greet from 3-4 p.m. Saturday at Oglebay’s Route 88 Burgers & Brew. This event is open to the public, and autograph cards will be provided.

For more information visit oglebay.com/pbr or call 877-436-1797.

For additional information and for tickets to the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour, visit www.pbr.com or www.wesbancoarena.com.