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Linked by a historic season, Lostroh and Mauney evoke historic memories

PUEBLO, Colo, (November 12, 2009) - The Packers and Bears have engaged in the oldest rivalry in the NFL.

In the NBA, the Celtics and Lakers have dominated two eras. First there was Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, then Bird and Magic.

There was a time when the college football season was highlighted by Ohio State and Michigan.

And, of course, there are the Yankees and the Red Sox.

In the PBR, the latest rivalry is between Kody Lostroh and J.B. Mauney.

Some would argue that Adriano Moraes and Justin McBride define bull riding rivalry. But consider this: Only in 2001, when Moraes won the second of three titles, did McBride finish in the Top 5. Five years later, when Moraes won his third, McBride was sixth. Conversely, when McBride won in 2005, Moraes was seventh, and two years later, Moraes was a distant 13th to McBride’s first-place finish.

With Lostroh and Mauney, the winner earns $1 million, and, well, the other is left with a gentlemanly handshake.

Call it East versus West. Or consummate good guy versus perceived bad guy.

It’s a growing rivalry between two young riders with long and promising careers ahead of them. Lostroh, 24, is the current World Champion, and Mauney, 22, has twice finished second in the world standings. And each of them have the support of a passionate fan base.

After winning the world title on Sunday, even Lostroh joked that a couple of times this past season he thought “me and J.B.’s fans were going to fight it out.”

They’re both young, and they’re both among the elite professional bull riders in the world, but that’s where the similarities stop.

One is quiet and reserved, and tends to avoid the spotlight.

The other has a swagger and rock star charisma.

And they will both forever be associated with the 2009 Built Ford Tough Series.

Lostroh won the World Championship by a slim 594-point margin, in a battle that wasn’t decided until the final day. In the 10 months preceding that victory, they won a combined nine of 31 events between them and were the only two riders to ever be ranked No. 1.

Afterward, Lostroh said he liked the fact that he and Mauney can still be friends because of, not in spite of, challenging each other.

In a Podcast posted at www.pbr.tv on Monday morning, the day after the conclusion of the Finals, nine-time World Champion Ty Murray surmised, “At this point, as a fan, it’s as if you lose the will to root for one of them over the other, because they’re both doing so great.

“You just have to take your hat off to both of them, is how I feel.”

Chances of that happening any time soon are slim, especially considering Lostroh said that the 2009 season is only a preview of things to come.

—by Keith Ryan Cartwright, PBRNow.com