By LUKE LUM | PBR
WITH just over five weeks to go until the 2023 PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour Origin Series gets underway, PBR has announced Clermont’s Aaron Kleier will lead Team Queensland once again on their quest for a fourth Origin title.
The four-time national champion who led Team Queensland to victory last year said he was excited to be back in the captain’s seat and looking forward to this year’s series.
“It is a great privilege to me and I can’t wait to ride as a team,” Kleier said.
The Origin series takes on a team format, with riders not only aiming to earn crucial individual points in the race to the PBR Grand Finals in November, but each successful eight-second-ride will contribute to their overall team score to win the coveted PBR State of Origin perpetual trophy.
“Origin is different to any other event because we are riding as a team and getting to do what we love for our state. It just has its own feel to these events, and you get pumped up just that little bit more,” Kleier said.
The PBR BAD (Bulls, Bands, and Bikes After Dark) event in Winton, Queensland, at the end of the month will be the last chance for riders to qualify for the first Origin event in Newcastle.
With Queensland riders well represented in the top 10 on the national standings, names such as Jake Curr (Mount Isa), Brady Fielder (Clermont), Jackson Gray (Barcaldine) and Zane Hall (Athol) will likely feature in the Queensland squad.
“Watch out for all the Queensland riders, we’re all in it to represent and win for the state,” Kleier said.
Leading Team NSW is the 2022 reigning national champion Cody Heffernan (Singleton), who will be looking to upset the Queensland party and secure New South Wales’s first ever Origin title.
Queensland has been undefeated in the Origin series since its inception in 2019.
PBR Australia presents the PBR Monster Energy Tour Origin I at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Saturday April 22nd. Tickets are available online at www.pbraustralia.com.au.
PBR Origin Series 2023
Origin I – Newcastle, Saturday 22nd April, Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Origin II – Brisbane, Saturday 10th June, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Origin III – Cairns, Saturday 22nd July, Cairns Convention Centre