Netflix Set to Immortalize Cycling’s Modern Maestro: Upcoming Blockbuster “Van der Poel – Beyond the Pedals” Promises an Unfiltered, Epic Portrait of the Greatest Rider of His Generation, Blending Triumph, Trauma, and the Relentless Pursuit of Glory
“Van der Poel – Beyond the Pedals”: Netflix’s Cinematic Love Letter to a Legend in Motion
When Netflix announced the production of “Van der Poel – Beyond the Pedals”, it wasn’t just another sports documentary—it was a seismic moment for the global cycling community and a powerful nod to the enduring cultural impact of one of the most electrifying athletes of our time. Mathieu van der Poel, whose daring tactics, multi-discipline mastery, and enigmatic personality have redefined modern cycling, is now set to be immortalized on screen in a way that goes far beyond podiums and power meters.
Set for release later this year, the Netflix original will span his rise from cyclocross prodigy to global road cycling icon, uncovering the emotional turmoil, staggering expectations, and resilient spirit that have shaped not only his victories—but his humanity.
The Anatomy of a Modern Gladiator
The son of former cyclist Adrie van der Poel and the grandson of Raymond Poulidor—France’s beloved “eternal second”—Mathieu seemed predestined to ride. But this documentary is no fairytale. Netflix’s storytelling pulls no punches, diving deep into how that legacy was both a blessing and a burden. Behind every win is a storm of doubt, criticism, and relentless training—a reality far more complex than the trophies suggest.
Viewers are treated to previously unseen home footage, interviews with close family members, rival riders, and childhood coaches, alongside raw confessionals from Van der Poel himself. He speaks candidly about the pressure of expectations, the chronic back injuries that nearly derailed his career, and the infamous Olympic crash in Tokyo that haunted him for months.
“People think I’m just born with a bike in my hands,” he says in the trailer. “But being born into something doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
A Cinematic Masterpiece in Scope and Substance
Directed by acclaimed documentarian Luca Brandt, known for his visceral and emotional storytelling, “Beyond the Pedals” is an immersive experience. Shot across seven countries over the course of 18 months, the film follows Van der Poel through rain-slicked cobbles in Flanders, blinding heat in the Tour de France, and even the muddy madness of the cyclocross World Championships.
The cinematography is breathtaking. Drone shots over iconic race climbs are juxtaposed with handheld footage of solitary training rides in the Austrian Alps. The viewer is placed not only in the chaos of the peloton but also in the quiet agony of injury rehab and the psychological battles of an athlete who doesn’t know how to rest.
But what makes the documentary extraordinary is not merely its visual power—it’s the emotional vulnerability. We see Van der Poel at his most triumphant and his most broken. The crying in a team bus after missing a world title. The sleepless nights before Paris-Roubaix. The conversations with his girlfriend Roxanne about burnout, balance, and legacy.
Multi-Discipline, Multi-Dimensional
“Most people don’t realize what it means to compete at the top in three disciplines,” says Wout van Aert in the film, Van der Poel’s longtime rival and occasional training partner. “I don’t think anyone else could live this life—and still smile on the start line.”
Indeed, Van der Poel’s ability to dominate cyclocross, road racing, and mountain biking has made him a unicorn in a sport increasingly specialized. The documentary explores the sheer physical toll and mental compartmentalization required to shift from the technical brutality of cyclocross to the endurance theater of grand tour stages. He isn’t just crossing finish lines—he’s crossing sports boundaries, cultural expectations, and even national stereotypes.
“He Doesn’t Race—He Attacks Life”
There’s a moment halfway through the film, following his solo triumph in the 2023 World Championships, where his father Adrie leans into the camera with tears in his eyes. “He’s not just better than I was,” he says. “He’s more complete. As a man, as a rider, and as someone who dares to go alone when the world tells you to play safe.”
This sentiment is echoed by many in the sport. Whether it’s his outrageous long-range attack at Strade Bianche or his audacious sprint against the likes of Van Aert and Alaphilippe, Van der Poel has never raced defensively. The documentary portrays this not just as athletic courage, but as an ethos—a philosophy of movement, of life. He doesn’t wait for opportunities. He creates them.
The Moments That Changed Everything
From the heartwarming to the harrowing, “Beyond the Pedals” dives into defining moments—some known, some never before revealed.
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The Tokyo Olympics crash: Miscommunication about a missing ramp during the mountain bike race leads to a high-speed crash and a dismal exit from the Games. The film captures the moment he learns the ramp was only in place for training sessions. “I had never felt so angry,” he says. “Not at anyone. Just… empty.”
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The 2021 Tour de France yellow jersey: In one of the most emotional sequences, viewers see the backstage jubilation of Van der Poel winning Stage 2 and donning yellow, dedicating it to his late grandfather. “It felt like I was bringing the jersey home,” he says.
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The night before Flanders 2024: Amidst rumors of illness and team tension, he delivers an all-time performance. The camera lingers on his face at dinner the night before. Silent. Focused. Alone.
Rivalries, Respect, and Redemption
Central to the film’s dramatic tension is Van der Poel’s intense rivalry with Wout van Aert—a story arc that plays out like a chess match spanning over a decade. While the media often paints them as enemies, the documentary captures a complex relationship rooted in mutual respect, shared suffering, and parallel lives. “He pushes me to be better,” Van der Poel says. “He’s part of my story.”
Other voices weigh in, including legends like Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan, who describe Van der Poel as “the heir to cycling’s emotional firepower,” a rare breed of athlete whose instinct often outshines his race radio.
Family, Fragility, and Fame
While the races deliver the adrenaline, it’s the quiet moments that deliver the truth. Van der Poel in his backyard with his dog. Visiting his grandfather’s grave before a major race. Reading negative press in the hotel room before a cobbled classic. “They think we’re machines,” he says. “But I bleed. I break.”
His relationship with Roxanne is a poignant through-line, offering insights into the challenge of building a private life under public scrutiny. “He’s harder on himself than anyone else could ever be,” she says. “But I’ve never seen anyone love something so fiercely.”
A Generation’s Voice
What “Beyond the Pedals” ultimately delivers is not just a tribute to one man, but to an era. An era where the romance of racing is still alive, where the sport finds heroes not just in perfection, but in passion. Mathieu van der Poel isn’t perfect—and the film doesn’t pretend he is. But in showing his flaws, his fears, and his fire, it elevates him from cyclist to cultural icon.
Final Act: Legacy in Motion
As the documentary concludes, Van der Poel stands atop the Mur de Bretagne, alone with his bike at sunrise. “I don’t know how many more years I’ll race,” he says. “But I know I’ll never stop riding. Because that’s where I’m most myself.”
With this closing scene, Netflix sends a clear message: this is what greatness looks like. Not just in medals, but in moments of doubt. Not just in attacks, but in recoveries. Not just in the story of one man—but in the story of a generation redefining what it means to be great.
In Conclusion
“Van der Poel – Beyond the Pedals” is more than a documentary. It is a cinematic masterclass in storytelling, a celebration of courage, and a deeply human portrait of a man who rides not for glory alone, but because the ride itself is his truth. For cycling fans and newcomers alike, this is a must-watch. Not because it tells you what you already know—but because it reveals the part you never saw.
And in doing so, it captures the essence of why Mathieu van der Poel matters.
Not just as a cyclist.
But as a symbol.
