American Pro

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THE TRUE STORY OF PRO BIKE RACING in America exists a world away from the glamour of July’s Tour de France. Life on the road is rough, the pay is low or nonexistent, and the schedule is relentless, yet many of these riders willingly endure the hardship for a shot at cycling’s big leagues. American Pro follows one fledgling American team on its rise through the development ranks. Crisscrossing the country on a quest for the next great race, this ragtag tribe of bike racers is born out of the unlikely financial support of a large pharmaceutical company. Still, they are fully reliant on the kindness of strangers they meet along the way and the support of a dedicated community that keeps the cycling scene spinning.From short, fast-paced criteriums to long, grueling road races, American Pro doles out five seasons of podium finishes, narrow losses, harrowing crashes, and inspiring wins. The team managers steadily build their team from 8 riders to 16, often beating out better-funded teams with young talent or sheer grit. In a cruel twist of fate, just as they hit their apex, the team runs up against its most formidable opponent: sponsorship. With good humor, compelling storytelling, and scrappy racing commentary, race announcer and cycling insider Jamie Smith humanizes the difficulties facing a team at the development level. More than just a survival story, American Pro is a celebration of big dreams and fat chances, all for the love of bike racing.“Many cyclists start out whipping around city streets in small towns dreaming of making it big—it’s how I started racing. American Pro details the heart, dedication, and sacrifice that one team’s staff and riders go through trying to make it.” —FRANKIE ANDREU, former pro cyclist and Olympian