Cycling: It is a black chapter in cycling: the Tour de France 1998. Doping with Epo and numerous other substances is at its peak. The drivers are perpetrators and victims at the same time. The 2020 film THE RACER is about doping, cover-up and love.
The film THE RACER can currently be viewed on Amazon Prime for EUR 0,99.
Tour de France 1998: scandals & strikes
Most cycling fans from Germany fell in love with the sport in 1996 or 1997. You witnessed the 1998 Tour de France live. The Italian Marco Pantani surprisingly won the tour because of a starving branch from last year's winner Jan Ullrich. However, it is remembered because of the doping scandals and the driver strikes.
The Racer: Dope to keep up
The film THE RACER is dedicated to exactly this topic. The 1998 Tour de France starts in Ireland. The experienced professional cyclist Dom Chabol has been part of the cycling circus for over 20 years. Actually it is clear that the team needs him. But shortly before the start he is booted out. But when a teammate fails because of a positive doping test, Chabol is nominated. Now the Belgian is trying to get the yellow jersey. He's not actually intended to be a helper, but he still wants to fulfill his big dream shortly before the end of his career.
Entertaining, but with weaknesses
There are only a few films about professional cycling. And those that exist are often far removed from reality and therefore not very authentic. THE RACER also has to struggle with this problem. Some strange terms have either already appeared in the screenplay or only in the German translation. And some scenes seem very silly and unnatural. Even the fake jerseys don't necessarily make you feel like you're in professional cycling. However, if you can overlook it and just want to be entertained, you will definitely have fun with THE RACER. In itself the film is well made and it has its emotional and stirring scenes. As a spectator and cycling fan, you just have to stop comparing the film with reality. After all, THE RACER is not a documentary film, but a feature film, a sports drama.
Curious: Real accident & anachronism
In the film we see a mass crash in the peloton on the final stage in Ireland. This was not rehearsed and was actually not even in the script. The actors actually fell and were injured in some cases. Stefano Drago (Timo Wagner) even had to go to the hospital for a day. As the film progresses we see him with real scars. In addition, Dom Chabol hears the song several times "No Matter What" by Boyzone. This is an anachronism because the Irish boy band only released this song in August 1998, while the Tour de France was held in July.
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