Cycling fans, and even those with a passing interest in the sport, have been eagerly awaiting the release of Paul Kimmage's 'Rough Rider' documentary.
The long-awaited documentary film by Paul Kimmage on the Tour de France and the sport's difficulties with doping will be broadcast on RTE television the week after next.
Kimmage revealed via twitter today that the film will be broadcast on RTE One on Monday week, July 28th at 9.30pm, the day after the Tour finishes.
Filming began nearly two years ago and the documentary was expected to be released before now. However, it was delayed partly because of legal considerations around some of the content.
The fly-on-the-wall style production followed Kimmage for over a year, including on last year’s Tour de France, the 100th running of the race.
Advertisement
The cameras were also there as Pat McQuaid and the UCI announced it was suing him only to later cease that action and for the period when the former pro turned journalist and author launched a counter legal action.
The cameras also followed the Dubliner during the period of the downfall of Lance Armstrong and the period when McQuaid ran for the UCI presidency and lost the office.
Dublin-based Wildfire Films last year described the project as follows: “Told against the backdrop of the centenary Tour, and through the eyes of one of the most aggravated whistleblowers in sports journalism, we are going on a journey that could prove to be one of the most contentious sports films of our time.”
Related News
It will undoubtedly be a major hit with many cyclists, cycling fans and even those with only a passing interest in the sport.
Further promotional material released by Wildfire Films & Ergo Films last year:
Within the media scrum sits one of the world’s most cantankerous sports journalists. Paul Kimmage has spent the last 22 years fighting to rid his most beautiful sport of doping. The former professional cyclist is detested by many in the sport, led by Lance Armstrong, fellow journalists and heads of the world cycling governing body.
Throughout the twenty‐one days of the most gruelling road race, we travel with journalist Paul Kimmage in his caravan, giving us an extraordinary insight into the fascinating, beautiful and often shocking world of professional cycling. At its heart this is a story of treachery and one man’s unrequited love for his sport.
Right now, there is no sport with a bigger credibility fight on its hands than cycling, and no event where genuine romance coexists so uncomfortably with hideous reality than the Tour de France. Told against the backdrop of the centenary Tour, and through the eyes of one of the most aggravated whistleblowers in sports journalism, we are going on a journey that could prove to be one of the most contentious sports films of our time.
The book of the same name that launched Kimmage's successful career as an author, though he was already a high profile journalist when it was released.
Topics
