Netflix Set to Release a Groundbreaking, Deeply Personal Documentary on Cycling Phenomenon Tadej Pogačar—An Epic Exploration of the Slovenian Prodigy’s Humble Beginnings, Relentless Rise Through the Ranks, and His Transformation Into a Tour de France Conqueror, Modern-Day Gladiator, and the Most Electrifying Talent of His Generation Who Redefined What It Means to Dream, Suffer, and Triumph on Two Wheels
Introduction: A Legend in the Making
Netflix is preparing to bring the world an unprecedented look into the life, mind, and mission of cycling’s most electrifying and enigmatic talent—Tadej Pogačar. The streaming giant’s latest sporting documentary is set to chart the meteoric rise of the Slovenian cyclist, from the winding village roads of Komenda to the brutal slopes of the Col du Galibier and beyond. Titled Pogačar: Beyond the Breakaway, the documentary promises a raw, immersive, and emotionally gripping journey into the world of a man who is not just dominating the peloton—but redefining it.
Expected to premiere globally in early 2026, the film is already generating buzz in sporting and entertainment circles alike. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access to UAE Team Emirates, rare footage from Pogačar’s childhood, and deeply personal interviews with family, teammates, and rivals, this production is being hailed as Netflix’s most ambitious cycling project to date.
In an era where the mental, physical, and emotional weight of greatness is more closely examined than ever before, Pogačar: Beyond the Breakaway doesn’t merely chronicle trophies—it peels back the layers of a modern champion who is at once fierce, funny, fragile, and fearless.
Chapter 1: From Komenda with Dreams
Tadej Pogačar was born on September 21, 1998, in the small Slovenian town of Komenda. A sleepy village overshadowed by mountains, Komenda is not the kind of place where global sports icons are expected to emerge. But even as a child, Pogačar’s love for cycling was clear.
“I remember stealing my brother’s bike when I was five,” Tadej says in the film. “It was too big, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to go fast.”
The documentary opens with breathtaking drone shots of Slovenia’s serene countryside, cutting to grainy home videos of a young Pogačar racing down local trails. His parents, Mirko and Marjeta, provide heartfelt commentary, recalling how their son would spend hours watching Tour de France stages on a small TV in the living room, legs twitching with excitement.
From his first club races at KD Rog in Ljubljana to junior victories across Europe, the film paints a portrait of a boy who never saw limits—only possibilities. Friends describe him as “quiet but relentless,” and former coaches reveal how he’d ask for extra hill repeats long after teammates had collapsed.
Netflix masterfully builds tension even in these early moments, weaving in commentary from current pro riders like Geraint Thomas and Sepp Kuss, who reflect on what it means to grow up chasing a dream most assume is out of reach.
Chapter 2: The Breakthrough
The film’s second act follows Pogačar’s dramatic leap onto the professional scene with UAE Team Emirates. His victory at the 2019 Tour of California at just 20 years old sent a jolt through the cycling world—but it was only the beginning.
Using a mixture of race footage, GPS overlays, and team radio audio, Netflix recreates the tension and tactics of his major breakthrough performances. The narration by Peter Sagan is gripping, poetic, and infused with admiration.
Then came the 2020 Tour de France.
A Tour like no other—held during the COVID-19 pandemic, without crowds, and under immense logistical constraints—set the stage for what would become one of the most shocking and iconic moments in modern cycling history. On the penultimate stage, a 36-kilometer individual time trial to La Planche des Belles Filles, Pogačar annihilated the field, overturning a 57-second deficit to Primož Roglič and stealing yellow in a moment of pure, historic brilliance.
“People talk about miracles in sport,” says cycling journalist Orla Chennaoui in the documentary. “That was one. It was poetry. It was chaos. It was Pogačar.”
Chapter 3: Champion with a Smile
What sets Tadej apart isn’t just his talent—it’s his demeanor. In a sport often marked by grim stoicism and militaristic discipline, Pogačar smiles. He jokes. He attacks on descents when least expected. He takes photos with fans. He races like he’s in love with the pain—and the freedom it offers.
Netflix explores this unique mentality with deep psychological insight. Sports psychologists, philosophers, and even artists are brought in to help explain how Pogačar blends joy with ruthlessness. “He is light, even when the race is dark,” says one French commentator. “He dances on the pedals like he’s chasing a memory.”
This section also explores his personal life—his relationship with fellow Slovenian pro cyclist Urška Žigart, his love of animals, his obsession with coffee, and his now-iconic facial expressions mid-climb. It’s a refreshingly human view of a man often mistaken for a machine.
Chapter 4: Pain, Pressure, and the Pogacar Paradox
No hero story is complete without struggle, and Beyond the Breakaway doesn’t shy away from Pogačar’s toughest moments.
His heartbreaking defeat to Jonas Vingegaard at the 2022 Tour de France is unpacked in brutal detail. From the stage 11 collapse on the Col du Granon to the physical toll of illness and overtraining, the film offers an unfiltered glimpse into the emotional weight of losing when all eyes are watching.
“There were days I couldn’t even ride to the coffee shop,” he says, eyes lowered. “I felt empty.”
Yet, even in failure, Pogačar’s humility shines. The film captures candid footage of him congratulating Vingegaard with warmth and class, and later vowing to return stronger—not with anger, but with resolve.
That resolve would become evident in his 2023 and 2024 seasons, where he conquered Il Lombardia, Paris–Nice, and the Tour of Flanders in jaw-dropping fashion. The Flanders footage is especially iconic—mud-splattered roads, biblical rain, and Pogačar unleashing hell on the climbs with the flair of a Flandrien veteran.
Chapter 5: The Visionary of Modern Cycling
Netflix goes beyond biography by turning the lens on Pogačar’s impact on the sport itself. He isn’t just winning races—he’s changing how they’re raced.
“Attacking 60 kilometers out used to be suicide,” says commentator Ned Boulting in the documentary. “Now, thanks to Tadej, it’s art.”
Tactically unpredictable, emotionally honest, and physically overwhelming, Pogačar has helped usher in a new golden era of cycling—one where youth isn’t feared but embraced, where style matters, and where unpredictability is a virtue.
The documentary features input from race organizers, sponsors, and even retired legends like Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault, who agree: Pogačar’s presence has forced everyone else to evolve. His influence is seen not just in races, but in merchandise, fan culture, and the explosion of Slovenian cycling pride across the world.
Chapter 6: Legacy in Motion
Despite being only in his mid-twenties, the final act of the documentary contemplates legacy. It’s rare to do so with an athlete so young, but in Pogačar’s case, it feels earned.
Will he one day surpass Merckx’s 525 victories? Will he win all five Monuments? An Olympic gold? A Giro–Tour double? The questions are endless, and Netflix doesn’t attempt to answer them. Instead, it focuses on what legacy means to Tadej himself.
In a quiet scene, shot in Slovenia, he sits by a lake and reflects:
“I want to be remembered not just for winning, but for racing the way I felt. For not waiting. For making people feel something. That’s why we ride.”
Behind the Scenes: Netflix’s Most Artistic Sports Project Yet
Directed by acclaimed Belgian filmmaker Hannelore Storme and produced by the team behind The Last Dance and Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Pogačar: Beyond the Breakaway is a visual and emotional masterpiece.
Stunning cinematography captures not just races, but the rhythm of life in Slovenia, the madness of the Tour, and the serenity of solo rides. The score, composed by Max Richter, blends classical with ambient tones, amplifying both triumph and vulnerability.
Pogačar himself was reportedly involved in the script structure and chose many of the interviewees himself. His fingerprints are all over the tone: humble, joyful, and emotionally grounded.
Conclusion: Not Just a Documentary—A Defining Moment
Pogačar: Beyond the Breakaway is more than a documentary. It is a cultural statement. A reminder that greatness is not born in stadiums, but in silent mornings, broken climbs, and the refusal to give in. It invites us to ride alongside a boy who dreamed beyond his borders—and pedaled into history.
In capturing the story of Tadej Pogačar, Netflix hasn’t just documented a cyclist.
They’ve immortalized a spirit.
And when the credits roll, one thing is certain:
This is just the beginning.
