The Racer (film)

The Racer is a 2018 sports drama film directed by Kieron J. Walsh and written by Kieron J. Walsh, Ciaran Cassidy, and Sean Cook. The film stars Louis Talpe as Dominique Chabol, a veteran cyclist nearing the end of his career who gets one last chance to ride in the opening stages of the 1998 Tour de France, which was held in Ireland that year.

The plot centers on Dominique's struggles with age, ambition, and the pervasive doping culture within professional cycling. He is initially intended to be a domestique, supporting his team leader, but unexpected circumstances lead him to a potential leadership role. The film explores the physical and mental toll that professional cycling takes on its athletes, alongside the ethical dilemmas surrounding performance-enhancing drugs.

The film features a supporting cast including Tara Lee, Matteo Simoni, Iain Glen, and Karel Roden. The Racer premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in March 2018 and received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its cinematography, performances, and portrayal of the cycling world. The film offers a fictionalized glimpse into the world of professional cycling during a period heavily scrutinized for doping controversies.