You don’t have to be a cyclist (though it doesn’t hurt) to appreciate a good cycling documentary.

You’ll find the best cycling documentaries listed here range from the informative; to the inspirational; and the wildly dramatic (see current fave: Icarus).

Let’s dive in.

THE BEST CYCLING DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH NOW

• Eat. Race. Win.
• Half the Road: The Passion, Pitfalls, and Power of Women’s Professional Cycling
• Icarus
• Inspired to Ride
• Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist 
• The Road Uphill
• Slaying the Badger
• Clean Spirit
• Rising from Ashes
• A Sunday in Hell
• Time Trial
• Personal Gold: An Underdog Story
• All for One

Eat. Race. Win. (2018)

Is there anything better than watching a cycling documentary that also covers travel and spectacular food?

The six episodes of Eat. Race. Win. does just that.

You’ll watch the Australian cycling team Orica-Scott as they tackle the 2017 Tour de France.

And because all cyclists need to eat nutritious, delicious food, you’ll watch the team’s chef – Hannah Grant – as she visits local farmers to select the best ingredients to feed the team.

Watch it now: Eat. Race. Win. (1 season, 6 episodes)

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Half the Road: The Passion, Pitfalls, and Power of Women’s Professional Cycling (2014)

Have you ever wondered why there are no women in the Tour de France?

If so, you’ll want to watch this documentary.

Half the Road, is a thought-provoking film comparing the state of women’s cycling to men’s.

You’ll see interviews with women’s cycling World Champions and Olympians who discuss the inequality, lack of media coverage, and shortage of funding.

Yet despite the lack of funding and support, women cyclists pursue their sport for one reason above all else:

The pain is a metaphor for a challenge. It’s about bringing yourself to your limit and then pushing yourself beyond that.

And then realizing that it wasn’t the limit. And that your limit is further than you ever thought and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Watch it now: Half the Road: The Passion, Pitfalls & Power of Women’s Professional Cycling (1 hr, 52 min)

Icarus (2017)

If you could take performance-enhancing drugs and evade detection, would you do it?

Academy Award-winning documentary, Icarus by Bryan Fogel, sought to find out.

Fogel, an avid cyclist, would ride in the Haute Route – an annual amateur 7-day cycling event.

The last time he competed the race, he placed 14th out of 440 riders. This time, his goal was to rank higher.

To do so, Fogel undergoes a supervised doping program to bypass doping controls.

The scientist in charge of Fogel’s doping program was the Director of the Olympic lab in Moscow – Grigory Rochenkov.

But the film pivots unexpectedly when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accuses Russia athletes of state-sponsored doping.

Rochenkov, a key figure in Russian athletics, becomes a whistle-blower. And what happens next can only be described as a thrilling scene from a spy novel.

Where to watch it: Netflix (2 hrs)

Inspired to Ride (2015)

Have you heard of the Trans Am bike race?

It’s a cross-country bike race that begins on the United States west coast—in Oregon—and ends on the other coast in Virginia. The total mileage is over 4,000 miles.

The goal is to ride the Trans America trail, from beginning to end, as fast as possible.

The caveat: you’ll have to bring all your supplies with you and find your own lodging because you won’t have any roadside support.

And sometimes that means sleeping in a ditch because you can’t find a place to sleep.

It’s open to all who wish to take on this massive challenge.

So why do it?

Find out when you watch the cyclists push through fatigue and battle the elements.

Watch it now: Inspired to Ride (1 hr, 28 min)

Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist (2014)

This melancholy documentary chronicles the life and death of one of cycling’s best climbers – Italian cyclist Marco Pantani.

Pantani, 1998 Winner of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, had a successful cycling career cut short by doping allegations.

Though Pantani repeatedly denied the doping claims, he couldn’t break free from the accusations. Because of this, he spiraled into a deep depression and addicted to cocaine, which led to his lonely death at 34.

Watch it now: Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist (1 hr, 36 min)

The Road Uphill (2011)

The Road Uphill follows two brothers – Andy and Frank Schleck – and their team, Leopard Trek, as they train to ride and win the 2011 Tour de France.

Watch as they build their team and discuss Tour strategies with their coach.

You’ll also find insights from the Schlecks and their teammates to questions you might have about pro cycling:

How would you feel if you placed second? Why are you so passionate about cycling? What are you thinking before your time trial? How do you handle the pain?

Watch it now: The Road Uphill (1 hr, 29 min)

Slaying the Badger (2014)

There’s friendly, fierce competition and then there’s Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault.

Slaying the Badger is based off of the book that bears the same name. (In case you wanted to read the book instead of watch the documentary.)

Hinault, nicknamed “The Badger”, because he looked and acted like one.

And you’ll see how he lives up to his name with his bitter rivalry with LeMond in the 1986 Tour de France.

Though they were on the same team, it appears that it’s every man for himself.

Find it here: Slaying the Badger (1 hr, 19 min)

Clean Spirit (2014)

Clean Spirit takes you on a gripping journey inside the world of professional cycling, shadowing the Dutch team Argos-Shimano (now Team DSM) as they tackle the 100th Tour de France in 2013. This documentary unveils the team’s unwavering commitment to clean and ethical competition in the aftermath of cycling’s notorious doping era.

You’ll watch behind-the-scenes footage revealing the team’s relentless dedication to fair play, transparency, and good old-fashioned hard work. No shortcuts here – just a focus on genuine talent and a determination to rise above the performance-enhancing fray.

Where to watch: AppleTV (1 hr, 27 min)

Rising from Ashes (2012)

Rising from Ashes is a moving documentary that follows the first Rwandan national cycling team’s journey to the Olympic Games after the Rwandan Genocide.

Directed by coach Jock Boyer, the film shines a spotlight on the team’s resilience. And you’ll watch how cycling becomes a symbol of hope and healing for a nation emerging from tragedy. It’s an inspiring tale of overcoming adversity, unity through cycling, and its transformative impact on lives and communities. 

Where to watch: Amazon (1 hr, 22 min)

A Sunday in Hell (1976)

A Sunday in Hell captures the drama and excitement of the 1976 Paris-Roubaix race. So why is this race so noteworthy? It’s because the Paris-Roubaix brought the thrill with top-notch competitors, a course full of cobblestone chaos, and nail-biting finishes. And, this documentary takes you back to the cycling culture of the mid-1970s.

Where to watch: Amazon (1 hr, 51 min)

Time Trial (2017)

Do you want to know the truth behind what it takes to be a top cyclist? This is the documentary for you. 

Why’s that? It’s because this film follows the ups and downs of the final season of British pro cyclist David Millar. Brace yourself – Time Trial doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. It lays out the nitty-gritty challenges, from the toll on the body to the mental toughness required to ride at the top. If you’re after the raw truth of the cycling world, this documentary is your front-row ticket.

Where to watch: AppleTV, YouTube (1 hr, 22 min)

Personal Gold: An Underdog Story (2015)

Personal Gold is an exciting underdog story about determined women aiming for Olympic Gold in the 2012 London Olympics. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their training, planning, and the personal sacrifices they pour into their journey.

But it’s more than just training and races. Personal Gold turns the spotlight on the real struggles faced by female cyclists—funding battles and the fight for recognition in a male-dominated sport.

Where to watch: Amazon, AppleTV (1 hr, 38 min)

All for One (2017)

Curious about what happens behind the scenes of pro cycling? Follow the riders of the Australian cycling team Orica-GreenEDGE (now Team Jayco-AIUIa) as they prep and train for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Beyond races, this is more than just cycling stats—it’s an exploration of the tight-knit bonds and camaraderie that define this team. 

You’ll see the ups and downs that shaped their journey—from conquering challenges that would deter the faint-hearted to showcasing the grit that sets champions apart. Uncover the unique training regimens that pushed these athletes to the limit, and watch their behind-the-scenes rituals that add a touch of magic to their pursuit of victory.

Where to watch: Amazon, AppleTV (1 hr, 39 min)