We don't want to stay in the main group.
We dream of an escape, more or less definite.
Although one commands to stay as a group...
not to spend energy too much, and choose for endurance instead.
Only the champion can celebrate, and sing of power and glory...
one of the remains of our playful youth.
But this movie is not about a champion...
for the stories of great people are to be found in an encyclopedia.
The story of Ghislain Lambert can't be found anywhere...
although his character is parallel to the human nature.
As a farmer's boy, Ghislain dreamt...
of taking care for himself, without asking for anything.
To run away from school, where he felt he didn't belong...
he choose for a cruel training, every day...
Just like Briek Schotte, with a steak and a beer in his bag.
Lambert at the checkpoint, the red flag.
He takes 20 meters, 30 meters, 50 meters ahead of the main group.
He's a rocket. An arrow.
The main group starts to sprint, but Lambert keeps pushing.
It is super, Lambert will become world champion.
He is world champion.
First: Lambert, second: Merck, third: Gimondi.
You're on the edge, bastard.
Look at it.
Not a gram of fat.
A real sword.
Just muscles.
It will be an immense battle in the mountains.
Problem.
You both need to agree.
Did I do well? - Yes, very well.
What should I do next?
The same, but on the back.
If you drown, I won't come to drag you out.
This is the last time. Or you'll be leaving.
Ghislain didn't feel ashamed for doing 'little jobs'.
Even better. He was prepared on any given moment...
to call 'present' when destiny called upon him.
Everything all right? - Yes, mister Focodel.
How many kilometers did you run this year?
12000.
On a fixed gear?
Yes, 100km on a 42x16.
There's no better way than training.
You'll be running far?
I'm cycling home, mister Focodel.
I'll drive along for a moment.
Yes, If you please.
Where did you meet him? Do you know that Bocodel for long?
Focodel. Of course I know him.
Everybody know him. He's a legend.
He used to be sporting director at the time of Van Steenbergen.
That might be true, but what does he need of you?
- He wants me to join his team. He watched me... - You didn't run on Sunday...
Not Sunday. In a different race.
He likes my style, and...
he thinks it can be promising.
He said I remind him of Sells.
What?
Sells. Why do I talk with you about cycling?
Sells. Ward Sells. Lieutenant of Rik Van Looy.
The emperor of Herentals.
Victor of the tour of Flanders, of the race Paris - Brussels.
And why does that emperor give you 200 litres of soap and 40 chammies?
I don't know. A welcoming gift.
Really?
What did he say?
It's good quality because it's written in English.
Really?
When did you learn English?
Purity, freshness, energy.
That's Magicreme.
Power, courage, devotion.
That's cycling.
And when one connects effort to purity...
devotion to freshness, courage to tidiness...
well, than the result is yours. One gets energy.
Freshness plus devotion, and devotion plus tidiness equals:
I am, you are, we are...
Magicreme.
There are two types of contracts:
The 800 and the 1200.
I tell you immediately: Be careful.
There will be people saying:
"I'm a 800, a champion. I am cycling and that's all I'm interested in. "
Yes, but I say: "Pitty".
And I say... back to the question...
800 or 1200...
Do I want to do my job without thinking of the team?
Or do I wish to contribute to the whole complex?
Do I want to be a partner. A man of 1200?
It's because of the scratches. You notice the difference.
Yes, one notices the difference...
but... Even if your product would be cheaper...
you must understand I can't afford to buy 50 litres.
I can use a tin for six months.
I understand, but...
The gentleman is a salesman. - Runner... Cyclist.
Or maybe my sister will be interested.
But even if, 25 litres for me alone, that's way too much.
Babette. My daughter.
Good day.
Ghislain.
Sleep well. - Thanks, mister Focodel.
Everything all right my friends?
Feeling comfortable? - Yes, thanks.
Good night.
Focodel is not so bad.
I once knew a French man, he was mad...
he whispered weird things while putting us asleep.
If you get no good results, no more wine, but just water and biscuits.
And for sure no sex, especially with women.
Dancing also and standing up for a long time wasn't allowed either.
No, Focodel is a hot-heated person, but you should understand him.
He has gone through tough times.
He was fired from Peugeot.
He would have broken a whole generation.
Of course he wants his revenge now.
He knows the profession very well.
I such a team, you should threat your sporting director and captain very good.
If you can understand that, you can stay in the main group for long.
Helper is the best thing.
Being a racer sucks, as well as a climber.
The captain takes many risks.
A helper has the best job.
Goodnight.
Ladies, gentlemen, friends of sport, good morning.
Ghislain makes his debut at Magicreme in a carnival race...
and in the race of Saint-Sauveur he became to know the large difference...
between amateurs and professionals.
Lambert Ghislain. - Lambert Ghislain.
Number 68. - Thank you.
Fortuna Ricardo. - Fortuna... number 69.
Ricardo, how are you? Which number did you get?
69. That number suits you well. You're thinking about it all the time.
Less than 10 seconds before the start of the race...
that is declared by the mayor.
Mister Nestor Publisher. - Please excuse me.
Attention, gentlemen cyclists... - I need to go.
Start.
The weather is great.
Ghislain, do you see that?
Only a few can do this. Especially in a race...
Felice liked this. He called me 'The tooth'.
For a captain it's very important to get somebody helping him.
He raises his hand and along came Ricardo.
Take this, Ghislain. Drink.
They are not far away. They just passed us.
This always works.
Ladies, gentlemen, in a few minutes we can see...
at the end of the 4th round, a compact main group.
Attention cyclists, at the next passage there will be a bonus of 500 francs.
Lambert. Go!
Give everything you got. Go, Ghislain.
Ladies, gentlemen, there are the 10 men ahead.
And they enter the final round.
Their lead didn't change much since the last passage.
Attention, dear friends of the sport, we are getting closer to the final...
of this magnificent and beautiful race...
now the leaders have passed... for their final kilometer.
We expect a group of 10 cyclists...
amongst them Fabrice Bouillon and at his side his favourite helper.
We can see the leaders.
Manu at front, but at the other side appears Freddy Verstraeten...
and he's the one that wins the race...
after him Fabrice Bouillon. Eric Gentif finishes 3rd.
Very well done lads, very well.
Let's meet the main characters of the race.
The members of the Magicreme team all work for Fabrice Bouillon.
Give a warm applause for team Magicreme...
appearing at the stage alongside mister Focodel,
the sporting director who'll be very busy...
leading his team to the best positions...
in a very busy international schedule.
Fabrice, we know you're experienced.
You are a complete cyclist...
but in this year, you're the only leader.
What is your goal?
This year we will focus to win an important classic race...
Louder.
And therefore we found some fresh new members.
My mates and me hope...
that we can make the Magicreme colours shine.
They will do everything.
You are no seducer...
Give me just a little kiss.
A little kiss and I'll become a butterfly.
And I'll never return here.
next time your knees will be dead.
Yes? Go inside, I'll be there in a sec.
That son of a bitch wanted to blackmail me.
Ghislain, look. That is Bobet.
And who's the other one?
Carlos, I guess.
Carlos? Who's that? - Carlos...
What? That whale?
That whale did win the race of the West two times...
one short race, the Walloon race and 4 stages in the Tour de France.
How can I help you?
We are here for tires. - Professional?
Magicreme.
Damn it. What did he have for lunch?
Made up some lost time. It's normal.
Where did you race Sunday? - Saint-Sauveur. The carnival.
Did well? - Yes, we made it in suits.
All right, but do you take anything?
Dopdop? Dipdip?
Oh yes, we don't touch that stuff.
Fabrice, hurry. - Are there any fruit gums?
Everything you need is in there.
How are the legs? - Yes, they're fine.
Not me.
Do you want to have a drink? I made some coffee.
No thanks. You're very kind.
Water perhaps? - No, it's ok.
Fine.
What are you doing? Hurry up.
I've never done this.
And stop thee flushing. - I am diverting attention.
Relax.
I am relaxed. - This is feeling rough.
Relax or the needle will break.
Like this? Is this good? - Yes, this is good.
Done? - No, I'm focusing.
Everything ok? - Yes madam. Thanks.
Goodbye, madam. - Goodbye.
Your turn now.
Why? I used it all.
But this is for two persons.
It's not bad. We'll see what effect it gives on you.
Lambert Ghislain, number 54.
Sign there.
Ready.
Number 83.
Ghislain. Be calm. Take it easy on departure.
Be calm boys.
Gentlemen cyclists, please proceed to the start.
Attention. Ready?
We got caught. We got caught.
We got here together. We should go now.
Be careful of the dog. The dog is blue.
Is it you?
Are you kidding?
Do you want to get in trouble?
It could mean the end for the team.
It wasn't me. - No. But did he rob the pharmacy?
I wanted to be easy. Homeopathic. Be gentle.
Gentle. He can’t sit anymore.
It was me playing darts.
Is there any poison?
Listen, you got the job to prepare these boys.
But the thing with Lambert that's work of a butcher.
Another blunder and you're out.
That's the deal, mister Focodel.
I'll be careful. This won't happen again.
Once we got used to the dose, no more problems occurred...
and the doping didn't turn him into a champion...
but Ghislain could maintain in the group in the races.
He became a true cyclist doing his part of the job.
He got used to the craft...
And sometimes they got from bad to better...
and just like most of the other cyclists...
he needed a trick to get to the podium.
Lambert and Bouillon, check.
Lambert, will you produce a nice beer for us?
But no foam please.
Ricardo. I recognize his style.
You are with a good teacher.
What are you doing? - Girls, it's like cycling.
Hurry. - Should I give you anything?
Thank you.
Monique, Ghislain.
Hello.
Babette, my niece. - Pleasure.
Are you in cycling.
No, not in the bicycle. I ride it. Shall we go?
Good evening.
Please follow me.
Don't you have any other shoes?
Focodel takes the other away. So we can't go out.
Here you are. - Thanks.
No, the next seat.
Do you like an ice-cream? - Yes.
At the visit to the National Albert park...
the king met a pygmy tribe.
This group, that is threatened to extinct...
just has 50000 bodies left.
We arrived.
Quiet, Boomer. It's me.
Is he dangerous? - No.
Hello, nice doggy.
Quiet, Boomer. Stop it.
I am leaving.
Thank you.
Boomer, come back. Come back.
Excuse me. - Ghislain... wait.
I'm sorry.
You are alone. - Who should I have brought?
You should be at the other girl.
What happened? Didn’t she want to come?
I didn’t ask her.
Wait. I'll take care of it.
It's ok, come on. She doesn’t mind.
Why, doesn’t mind?
Ghislain, are you crazy?
No, no, continue without me. I’ll be back later.
As you wish. But it could take a while, regarding what I was doing with her.
I won.
I've won!
Listen... It's a victory for the team.
They chased everybody and is was a though race.
I started racing at 300 m from the finish, wind in the back...
on a 52x14, and I looked back and I didn’t see any pursuer.
It was easy.
I am very satisfied. Thank you.
Lads, tomorrow we should do the right trick.
We didn’t arrive here to lounge about.
The finish is only 3 km away from Magicreme office.
It seems clear to me. I want a Magicreme in each escape.
But don't cooperate. We are racing for Fabrice.
Fine by everybody? Well.
In the last stage you bring him forward...
and you should prepare the terrain for him.
When someone thinks he clever to hitch a ride you should dump him.
In the final 20 km I want to see only the Magicreme colours.
Mister De Kimpe.
How are you doing?
They are ready. We'll be seeing Magicreme all over.
Very well. The staff from the factory will be waiting at the finish.
Magicreme, that means everybody. We are one big family.
You did meet Stevens... - Good day.
This is Van den Berge. - Pleasure.
Vissers, our climber.
Steegmans. One can count on him.
En Desmet, idem. All of them are fighters.
Fabrice. Everything on its place?
I hope so, mister De Kimpe. - And your legs?
No problems. - The legs are important.
He's a thoroughbred. He'll be there.
Vert well. Let's go. - I'll accompany you.
Okay, it will be fine.
Where did they go, Ricardo?
We're almost there. We're almost there.
Go, Ghislain. - Carry on.
Go, go, Ghislain.
Prepare joining. Go.
We return. - 50 meters.
Shout Ricardo, They didn't hear us.
Go, go.
We made it. - Go, Ghislain.
Come on. Carry on.
What are you doing? - Damn it, I fell off.
I've done it alone. - Come on, Ricardo.
I fell. You weren't there. - There was somebody.
Bring me ahead. Well done, Ghislain.
Come on, let's go forwards.
Stop. My wheel is damaged, Ghislain.
Give me yours. Quickly, Ghislain.
Damn it. I hate this race. - It will be fine. You will catch them.
You will make it. - Push me. Quick, push.
It's going well. You will make it.
Be careful.
Thank you very much.
I told them I was feeling good and we should be in the front rows,
and I would finish first.
They caught everybody it was a though race.
I started racing at 300 m from the finish wind blowing in the back...
I looked back, but I didn’t see anyone. It was easy.
He takes drugs.
Of course, like you and me.
Everybody takes them, even Focodel.
Fabrice is the captain.
You can take as much as you like and you won't be running like that.
You can't change your body.
I can take as much as I'd like but I'll never become Felice.
He got class.
Does Merck have a miracle product?
Careful. Fabrice isn’t Merck.
No one can beat Merck.
If you take too many of them, you'll be finished.
Some put too much salt in their soup and ate their plates.
They run a few good races and afterwards: nothing.
I'm not worse than Fabrice.
That's not the point.
I don't understand... - He's the captain.
Be respectful. If you want to be too quick...
Be happy with my arrows.
Aren't you satisfied? - It's not about that.
Ricardo is no Mabuse. But they are happy having Ricardo.
Who? - Mabuse.
Who is he, Mabuse? - Mabuse...
Forget it. He's too expensive. - Who's he?
A kind of professor, a magician.
A magician? - He repairs old world champions.
From every branch of sport.
Bull's-eye. He's visiting Mabuse.
No. Fabrice isn't interested in Mabuse.
You can't be sure. - He's the captain of a small team.
Nicodon.
That means nothing. It is used only for children.
Ventolin? - That makes the bronchi wider.
Ephedrine?
For your nose. Just enough to pick up your registration number.
Surespan in ampules? - Just to stay awake.
Forget it. He's not a patient of Mabuse.
Wait.
Help me, Ricardo.
Damn it. You overreact. - Come and help me.
You are the best. - Professional skills.
He's a luxurious prostitute.
And that one?
Perfume.
Come on. Let's go.
Hurry.
It will happen on the final mountain climb. - It's just an ordinary race.
You need to have trust in yourself. What’s wrong?
Take a good rest. Have faith. - See you later.
Sometimes, cards can decide the race. They can decide a career.
Nothing smaller?
Ghislain didn’t want to be the water carrier anymore.
Even at a game of tarot, he had to forget his own concerns.
This time, he wouldn't just give his queen away...
like that wheel in the race.
Are you fooling me?
I didn't notice it.
For Freddy Verstraeten of the other team...
Ghislain became an unexpected ally.
The thing Fabrice didn't know yet...
that thing that happened earlier...
would happen the next day at the Citadel of Namur.
Take over, Ghislain. - What?
I can’t do it. - Damn it, Ghislain.
I just can’t. I'm giving everything.
Make some speed. Speed.
Organize the race. Flandria, go in front.
Ricardo, shout. - I'm making speed, aren’t I?
Bic, go.
Ricardo, left.
Ricardo, left. Left.
I can’t do it anymore. - Ricardo, go left.
Go, go... - I can’t go anymore.
Bring me back.
Go, Ricardo.
I'll attack.
You're riding in a small gear. You've got 20 seconds. Ride on a larger gear.
I can’t do it. I'm riding on my last strengths. I've got sore legs.
Let Ricardo and Ghislain slow the group down.
They'll keep it under control. Believe in it.
Go, Fabrice. - Push.
Attention, we can see the see leading group approach.
Fabrice Bouillon is taking the lead and Freddy Verstraeten...
passes the barriers.
Verstraeten makes it ahead of Bouillon.
- Son of a bitch. You were riding for the others. - What?
You were riding for those others. - No, and go to hell.
We'll fix this later. - You'll be a dead man.
Yes, we'll see if I become one.
What does it matter? Out of my way.
He was paid by de Vlaming. I saw you holding that Queen.
What about that Queen?
Nothing, mister Focodel. He's talking about tarot.
Calm down. - Let me go.
Ghislain. Check.
Check.
Be careful. He's a bastard.
Ghislain Lambert, Magicreme.
I would like you to do it in front of me. If you agree.
I don't understand.
Normally it is fine, but now...
I don't know. It’s not working.
Well well. The tap is running.
That will do.
You can't do it alone, can you?
I don't care, I'm not an imposter.
It's not me. They are hypocrites, liars.
Hello Claude. Madam Lambert.
Hello Marcel.
Roger. A new colleague. - Good bay sir.
I'm telling what to so and we'll play the game by my rules.
And if you don't want to, you can receive a bullet.
Because Ghislain had enough of it. - What happened?
He got fired by the team.
He was on drugs.
Really?
He tells us it's not true.
The lemon got squeezed one time too many.
Ghislain Lambert had enough of it.
I've had enough too. I'm going inside.
Stay where you are, or I'll shoot me a bullet in the head.
It's all right. Come on.
Come on, let's have a cup of coffee.
A small one?
supervised by professor Petit...
Merck is preparing the high altitude...
and the reduced level of oxygen in the air.
We need to emphasize he'll be attacking...
the most difficult record there is.
Without any reserves, without any specific training on the course...
and after his heaviest season in which he wan...
his 5th Milan-San Remo, his 3rd Fleche Wallonne...
his 3rd Liege-Bastogne-Liege, his 4th Tour de France...
his 3th Giro d'Italia and his 2nd Giro di Lombardia.
Amongst others.
Merck got away as a track racer, pushes through.
He's restraining himself, as a matter of speech...
between the 35th and the 40th kilometer.
He ends as a road runner...
and finishes as a sprint racer...
when he rides the final 200 meters in just 13 seconds.
49 kilometers 431 meters.
He beat the Ritter record by 778 meters.
He would have overtaken the Danish cyclist more than two times.
25 October 1972, the legend of Eddy Merck is completed...
by his most amazing piece of bravery.
It's a cattle truck.
I know, but we'll be redesigning it.
A friend of mine will put in some windows.
And once it gets a new layer of paint...
and our name will be on it, it will shine like no other.
It will become a sag wagon.
And now, the second surprise.
Your masseur.
No, wait.
It's me. You are registrated. Go and get your number.
This is warm water for after the race.
And I'll tell you just now. He's there also.
Who?
You know. - No. Tell me it's not true.
So what? He can have a bad day. - Yes, sure.
I'm leaving.
He's as a bird for the cat. - Yes, he got a heavy burden.
I don't know. Or just a small one.
Well well.
For Mercks small races don't exist.
The Molteni champion was complaining this morning...
about a sore throat and tendonitis on his knee...
but at the finish he was 3 minutes 30 ahead...
of the first main group with Walter Godefroot.
"My legs were hurting and I couldn’t breath easily", he said.
However, this victory promises a lot...
14 days before the Tour of Flanders.
Repeating accidents worried Claude...
who didn’t like acting as a doctor very much.
So he anticipated and created a safe equipment.
Go on, hit me.
I won't feel a thing.
No, I don't hit no one. - Denis, come here.
Come here.
Look. Take this and hit me. Hard. Go on.
You see? I don’t feel a thing.
What's wrong?
Worse than a pile up or descending in the rain...
this was another danger for a cyclist...
Biscuit?
And no one could help him fight the danger even his brother.
No, he doesn't want one. Thanks.
Thank you, mom.
Thanks.
I find it difficult too, mister Vandenbroek.
But Ghislain should focus on his career.
There is crème in it.
And the weekend of the 12th?
The weekend of the 12th?
The next day there will be another race. He should be asleep early.
The next weekend?
No way. He'll be in Calais by then.
And in September he'll have to train. Nothing can happen then.
Moreover...
The smallest deflect in his diet could be a catastrophe. You all know that, don't you?
Come on, it's just for once.
No, Ghislain, I know you better.
You'll be eating yourself to death.
one toast in one hand, a meatball in the other. And he'll be drinking a lot.
The chances are too high. - One marries only once.
Mister Vandenbroek, I worked on his diet for over a year...
and I won't let a stupid banquet ruin it.
Although it is very delicious, madam.
Thanks.
No, it's no pleasure for me either.
So what should we decide?
Wait, I have an idea.
Yes.
The 24th. - Which 24th?
December.
Long life the bride.
Ghislain, Ghislain... ad fundum, ad fundum...
Come on, Lambert.
Everything okay?
Of course.
Follow me.
Over here.
You'll be fasting for three weeks. Every evening you eat a radish...
with a full glass of whisky. - Whisky?
Whisky. For three weeks in a row.
Your cells are polluted. We should clean them. Did you get my fertilizer?
Here it is. - Thank you.
Goodbye. - Thanks a lot, doctor.
Go that way. At the back of the garden there's a door.
Thank you.
Great, isn’t it? And he was so clear on the diagnoses.
Yes, only 300000 for a bundle of radish. - Wild radish. That's important.
Although the prescription didn't bring the desired results...
Ghislain was able to run a considerable well that season...
and take part in the only prestigious race...
in which distinguished unknown cyclists had conquered experienced champions.
Unfortunately for Ghislain the weather...
didn’t give him the opportunity to realize this...
and the circumstances were mostly painful instead of satisfactory.
What’s wrong? What are you doing? - I quit.
No, it's just a bad period.
Anquetil experienced the same when he won... - I can’t do it.
This will be better. - I want to go to sleep.
No, you should think of mom. And Babette.
It's their race as well. - Nonsense.
Think about those, who believe in you.
You don't need to win. Just finish the race.
Go. - No.
Get on the bike. - No, I quit.
You don't have the right. Back on the bike.
Get on it. - No. Do you know anything about cycling?
Did you ride this awful bicycle?
Don’t become troublesome, will you?
I paid 300000 francs for that Mabuse.
Get on the bike or I'll hit you.
On the bike. Go. And hit the pedals.
Show them who's Lambert. Give everything.
If I see you quit, I'll kick the teeth out of your mouth.
Did you see my brother?
What? - You haven't seen my brother? Number15?
Have you seen my brother? Lambert.
Lambert, screw him. - Number 15.
Not seen him.
Please, come on.
Did you see Lambert? - We didn’t see anything.
Elm Leblanc? - Leave.
Didn’t he chase him? - No, and now leave.
Lambert? Number 15? - No, we don't know where he is.
Are you mad?
Hurry up. One runner has left already.
Unbelievable. That filthy scum.
Message to all cars.
We were informed that number 15, Lambert Ghislain, in Chatellerault...
has a 47 minutes lead on the first group.
That fool.
Forza Lambert.
Ghislain... If you hold on, you can win.
Even Merck never wan this race.
He never took part in it.
Continue.
No... my back hurts
It will get better. Just remember your 20 minutes lead.
If you want to keep the lead, you must continue in the rhythm.
Go on.
Go. Change into larger gear.
I swear, you can win this race.
I have migraine. - Stop it.
I assure you. Stop for one second and I'll kill you.
Stop.
Go on.
You're doing well, Lambert. Continue.
Shut up.
Stop it.
Are you a madman, or what?
Go, go.
Are you satisfied? Say you're satisfied...
because I'm feeling satisfied too...
go to mama. Go to mama.
I love you.
Although this victory resulted in reputation and better contracts...
the cyclists wouldn't forgive him his nightly departure.
Not obeying the rules and becoming champion...
was worse than lese majesty...
and the sanction was in proportion and was effected immediately.
Ghislain wouldn't win any race again and...
wouldn't be able to escape from the main group.
The moment his bottom left the saddle to accelerate...
they would overtake and get him back.
Isn't the garage very large?
Ghislain, another victory?
Yes, but it was difficult.
Children, look, there comes daddy.
Daddy. Daddy. - Hello children.
Dad. You don't smell nice.
Yes, you should use Stopodor 'new formula'.
New formula? - Yes, by its active protection...
Stopodor interferes with bad body odour...
and it gives you a feeling of freshness all day long.
How to stay fresh after such a race?
I use Stopodor 'new formula'.
Do the same as Ghislain Lambert, use Stopodor.
The deodorant that stops the smells and not the efforts.
Thank you, Stopodor.
Only to be used onder armpits.
You know more about Stopodor than about cycling.
It’s an excellent product.
We got everything we need.
Stopodor "malot jaune". - There is Stopodor.
Stopodor, how are you?
Yes, dear, you should use Stopodor.
Be careful, we'll give you some freshness today.
Lambert, what is active protection?
Listen, you should only wear it a couple of times.
What is written on it?
No idea. It's something for boilers. Not too complicated.
The champion boiler...
No.
Okay. For the Quiberon race.
Didn’t you gain some weight?
Do you think so?
No, it’s because I'm sitting like this.
And like that?
Okay... for the Quiberon race that will be mister Le Dantec.
He launches a new cheese with nuts. 'Paterson'. Very nice.
His proposal is very good.
A poster campaign and support in the race.
In exchange he will be our exclusive tools sponsor for two years.
No.
Wait, damn it. You say no to everything.
You should do something.
Think.
It’s not that simple, there's money to be made.
If you don't do it, somebody else will agree. You’re not the only cyclist.
This is an incredible chance. Cycling is getting more popular.
You should profit from it.
Do you recognize him?
He doesn't ask anything.
And I don’t want to know how much he made out of it.
If you stay choosy, he'll get everything.
And the French love him.
I tell you this. You should get in the spotlight more often...
because 'Ghislain, the modest hero', is history.
Why don't you have a nice nickname?
Because the people don't know you well enough.
They don't know you're a nice person.
Because that's what you are.
I will become famous. - And how exactly?
I will defeat the world record in Mexico.
Is that it?
My name will be put in the chronicles.
I want to be more than just a good cyclist.
I want to have a name, like Bobet or Coppi.
Lambert should be associated with victory.
Not with cheese. Do you understand?
What is the world record?
49.431 km. And I can do better.
Merck wasn't in good condition when he set the record. I can improve it.
I'll race all small regional races or carnival rounds...
but I need your help.
What should I have to do?
Give me the same training as him and I'll smash the record.
Hello, Claude. I'll get him. He's in the garage.
Ghislain, guess who I'm meeting at the moment?
I'm with mister Paterson.
Le Dantec. Mister Le Dantec.
Yes, Le Dantec. From the nuts cheese.
With nuts. - With nuts.
Mister Paterson's proposal, is very original.
Very nice. - If I say no, it means no.
Yes, of course.
Very good, it will be a pleasure.
He says hello. - I greet him too.
Go training, champion.
Done, no problems.
The only thing we didn't yet agree upon...
is... Mexico.
Yes, do you realize all the interest from media...
will be overwhelming.
What did you want to become?
I feel perfect. I don’t want to become someone else.
And if I would become someone else I'd rather be a sportsman.
Like who?
A well known football player. Maybe Cruyff or Pele?.
And as a cyclist?
Myself.
Ghislain was sure the explosion in his garage was no accident...
and he became convinced that bad luck was on his side.
Only magic power could free him from this witchcraft.
Your pole is absolutely neutral.
Is that a good thing?
Neutral is neutral.
Read the contract again. No such provision is made.
No, don’t be rude. That won’t have any effect.
Send me all lawyers you can get. They are all welcome.
What?
But I feel the same too. I give a shit about you.
Do you know where you should put those cheese?
Yes, sure. Of course we'll talk about it.
When I disconnect the heating, Moisture is extending the fibers.
Where were we?
I want to know about these 35000 francs you spent.
Well...
Nitrogen depot, transport costs, home trainer. Mexico.
Everything is for Mexico. - No, up there. There.
That's before departure. - Yes.
That is representation fee.
representation fee?
representation fee and other costs.
What does that mean exactly?
It is... How should I explain...
All costs concerning the preservation of our image.
Yes, but what is it exactly?
For example if I represent you...
If I speak in your name... Our name.
Well, I should look respectable. Do you understand?
Respectable?
Yes. If only on the physic side. I need to look well.
If I have a business meeting...
I can’t do that in short trousers.
You are the champion.
One needs some respect. It's a minimum.
35000 francs on clothes. Do you call that minimum?
No, it's also the infrastructure of reception.
The place receptions take place.
The desk, the pictures, the carpet... That kind of things.
Do you tell me I am paying for the whole interior?
It belongs to me and you. You can use it whenever you want.
I don't care about your African style desk.
I don't work my fingers to the bone just so you could play for minister.
For more than two years now, I'm changing clothes in a van...
and you tell me your telephone suffers humidity.
Are you fooling me?
Listen well, Claude...
do as you please...
but I won’t pay you this cheating.
Got that?
Representation fee?
Another issue. Denis is working with us for two years now. Why doesn’t he get paid?
I can explain that. No problem.
Because Denis doesn't... Well, you understand...
I thought it was better, and I talked about it with mom...
that I'm managing his financial affairs...
But with all caution. I'll get you...
I see a big change.
A revolution in your life.
A difficult choice.
I see someone in your surroundings. Very close to you.
Maybe in your family.
Who is failing you.
He loves you, but he harms you as well.
He is the danger.
Are you Nostradamus?
Not the globe. Not my globe.
Here.
Ghislain took some distance from his brother...
653.
but he didn't stay alone.
1835.
With some help from Focodel he joined a new team...
of which the main sponsor decided to innovate preparations.
Every athlete, surrounded by medical staff, was thoroughly checked...
and was obliged to complete a training...
the level of which was close to astronautic training.
With regard to the training sessions 'Explosive force – 1st test.
Intensity: maximum sprint.
Length: 10 seconds. Repetitions: 12.
Recuperation: 3 minutes. Series: 1.
Recuperation between series: not important.
'2nd test'. Intensity: maximum climbing.
Length: 6 seconds. Repetitions: 7.
Recuperation: 2 minutes.
Series: 2. Recuperation between series:
5 minutes cycling at recuperation speed.
If someone gets off the saddle, I'll come and visit him.
That means zero and 12 additional series of the program.
Is that clear?
Come on. Let's start.
Signing the registration we can notice...
The Belgian cyclist Ghislain Lambert from Condroz region.
He became well known amongst amateurs winning a 3rd place in the Ardennes race.
He turned pro in 1970...
and in his first year as a professional rode very well in Brussels-Paris.
He joined the Magicreme team and finished 3rd in the grand prix Lescot.
Lambert wasn't allowed to participate in the high mass of cycling...
but with so many team members injured...
Focodel was forced to call upon him.
De Wael broke his ankle while leaving the stand...
and Vianen injured his hand during a hunting party.
The race director and the runners are gathered at the start...
and soon they will leave for Malo.
While there were two days left Ghislain wasn't feeling well...
but he didn't dare to complain and accepted his fate.
Riding the first kilometer he felt ill...
and wasn't able to maintain his position...
thus falling behind seriously.
The cakes are to blame probably.
They should have been in the sun for too long.
Here. This will make it better.
Thanks.
Excuse me mister Focodel, but I won't give up.
If there ever was a sport in which one chooses hardship over quitting...
it would have been that sport, in which for years...
people were waiting at the side of the road to see their favourites pass by.
And to be able to overtake, one sometimes needs a good old grandmother's recipe...
of which efficiency was equal to medication.
Ghislain, it's not too bad. If you are lucky, you will get better tomorrow.
Come closer to the car. Hand me that flask that is under the seat.
I'll take care of it. Here, drink.
It's Ricard.
It will do you good. Drink all of it.
Good.
Throw away. Throw it away.
And that's the last Epedex cyclist, together with the unlucky Jobo...
the runner of Bic that fell...
And the Frisol Dutchman who was suffering ravenous hunger.
Go. Come on.
Well done. Untie the hooks. Careful.
Let's go, the race is over.
Take a deep breath. It will be fine.
It's going better already. Take a deep breath.
You're not breathing well.
Where have you been today? Didn’t see.
Epedex? I don't know them. Never heard on Radio Tour.
And so on No need to go on.
What will I tell mister Epedex?
Fishermen. You should all be catching bonuses.
I couldn't do it. - Are you restraining for Tourmalet?
You should take the Malot Vert by now or it will be too late.
Stevens.
Why wasn't Freddy in the 2nd main group during sprint?
Tomorrow it's your turn. I won't be attending.
Yes? Open the door.
Are we interrupting? It's for television.
We are doing a report behind the show.
What are the cyclists doing after the stage...
What are they talking about, What do they dream about?
Go ahead, But 10 minutes maximum.
They didn't receive massage yet. - Thanks.
Feeling well, men?
It was a hard race today, wasn't it?
Wind, rain, riding fast. - Yes, they were going fast.
Are you sufering?
What's wrong with him? - He doesn’t get lucky.
Why?
Hard skin on the bum and bad legs.
If it doesn't improve he'll be going home soon.
My goodness.
And the last cyclist of the Tour, ladies and gentlemen. See you next year.
And the last cyclist of the Tour.
Police motorcycles are just passing by and the front runners...
will be appearing from the bend soon.
There they are, a group of ten.
It's a though scene.
One of Molteni is leading. His captain overtakes him.
It's him again. I can't believe it.
How he can cope. Such power, what a man.
Today the wins the sprint race.
Yes, he is winning. He wins everywhere.
As pursuer, as time trialist and now in the sprint race.
He dominates the race. This is cycling with a capital C.
Yet another victory for the captain of Molteni...
and now the main group finishes.
Fantastic, A group of fifty runners.
Jean-Luc, I'll give you the microphone so you can look...
for today's winner. Go ahead, Jean-Luc.
I think we should be telling the same again.
Why did he have to win today?
He's paralyses the whole race.
Don't worry, he'll be fifty one day.
Yes, me too.
Okay, I found the one I was looking for.
And the last cyclist of the Tour. See you next year.
This time, our reporters won't tell the story of the favourite runners...
but they prefer the dramatic aspect of the race.
A Belgian team member of Epedex who's going through hell.
Isn't it, Robert? - Indeed it is, let's watch...
images of Ghislain Lambert in the last part of the main group.
His bottom was hurting since the beginning of the week...
the medical staff told.
But the Belgian showed some remarkable courage.
You do understand this doesn't make sense.
And we're not underestimate his qualities...
saying he won't be able to win a race.
Every day he's fighting to arrive in time...
and believe me, that's his best victory.
Think again: 10 minutes in the screen.
A real gold mine for Epedex.
Do you know how much it costs, 30 seconds publicity on television?
He's improving. I hope you are joking?
The Lambert-story is only beginning.
Whatever, the image of Epedex should be the main issue.
Well, mister Epedex, I'll take care of it.
But in a race like this...
one cyclist arriving too late isn't allowed to start the next day.
It will be difficult for the last Epedex-member...
who needs to cross the line...
just before the chronograph stops counting.
We can see him far away.
Still 20, 19, 18, 17,
16, 15, 14 seconds to go for the cyclist from Belgium.
He is allowed to start tomorrow...
He made it into Aspro-Gaillard in time.
Was it difficult? - A hard stage?
As from today I don't want to see anyone at front.
You shouldn't be looking for something there.
You are all with Ghislain. The one after the other.
He should finish in time.
That includes you, Vissers. Forget about the maintain classification.
Freddy, you do it. you follow in the main group.
Just not long before we know the last runner...
will arrive in time. Ghislain Lambert, the nice cyclist from Epedex.
There he is, together with his team mates.
Will he arrive in time?
15, 14, 13, 12...
11, 10, 9, 8, 7...
6, 5... He got there in time.
A wonderful achievement of the last runner from the group...
Let him recover. You know what that means, recover.
Did the odyssey of Ghislain Lambert almost finish?
This is a profound question watching the stage tomorrow.
Climbing the Izoard mountain part of which go up by 14%...
This won't be looking promising for this brave Epedex-cyclist.
Especially because the time limit was set on 18% of the fastest time.
This is a new challenge.
Well Lambert, will you be there with us tomorrow? Riding in the group?
Good luck, Ghislain.
Attention, Ghislain. It's getting close now.
Come on, Ghislain.
We are well within time, Ghislain. Well done.
5, 4, 3...
2, 1, yes. The final second.
Ghislain Lambert finishes...
at the last second.
Exhausted, Ghislain Lambert approaches the journalists.
This are the cyclists getting out of the sag wagon...
and didn't finish.
Amongst them Freddy, Epedex team captain...
getting a puncture...
and after results worsening needed to give up psychically.
He choose the sag wagon.
Amongst them is a Gitane Frigecreme runner...
and a Gan Mercier cyclist.
I just informed the TV-stations. He should give up at the Ventoux mountain...
at the Simpson memorial.
A wonderful idea, mister Epedex.
He's zigzagging, falls, and lies on the tarmac without any motion.
The arms lying as a cross. Can you imagine?
All TV-stations will buy the images.
First he needs to arrive at that memorial stone.
Tell him he'll get an extra bonus until he reaches that stone.
Left. Left.
Watch out for the stretcher.
Okay. Put him down.
Is it Lambert?
Ready to lift him up? - My bicycle...
Thanks to...
Once he was recovered, the doctors told him he should never ride again.
The news wasn't disappointing to him...
but made him thing about becoming a real media figure.
It took months for the project to develop...
and put to the paper.
Darling. Come have a look.
Still. - Still? Come on.
What do you think?
This is the 'Ghislain Lambert' bicycle.
No, no, don't touch.
It's the saddle positioned too high compared to the placing of the steer?
Bicycle steer. Well, that's the point.
That is what makes the model so special.
Think, Babette. What is the cyclist biggest enemy?
Wind. It's the wind slowing the runner down.
This bent position, forwards...
makes the wind flow over the runner's back.
This is aerodynamics.
This is what makes my idea revolutionary.
Do you understand? - Yes.
- What's wrong? - Won't runners get a sore back riding like that?
Why?
I think that, when a runner is sitting with his bottom so high...
his back will hurt.
What are you talking about?
This is so typically you.
I show you the result of one and a half months of intense labour...
after consulting specialized books...
and meetings with professionals, and you give me this girl's talk.
It's no girl's talk. Everyone would say that.
I'm not an idiot.
What do you know about cycling?
I'm in this business for twenty years already.
So, if there's someone knowing about a sore back, it should be me.
Well, don't ask me anything then.
I'm not asking anything.
I'm showing you my labour.
Go to the kitchen, you're at your best in there.
I've been working with bicycles for thirty years.
You aren't going to teach me what's wrong and what's good.
They're boring me with their complaints bout that pain in the back.
The ones close to him didn't understand and he would leave everywhere empty handed...
so he choose to finance the prototype himself.
The first testing rides were planned...
during a meeting of 'Belgium/France' in Roubaix.
Although he quit inventing, he continued to strive for eternal glory.
So it was easy to convince him...
that he should write his memories.
So they started on a literature piece...
until one day, different opinions about the title meant the abolishment of the project.
Although the title 'Eagle of Condroz' was undesired...
The 'water-carrier' project meant a new start.
By recording his memories Ghislain discovered his own voice...
and nothing could make him stop talking.
Good evening.
Tonight's subject...
appears to be a problem for years and there's no solution. Doping.
Doping in sports especially cycling.
Tonight we speak with mister L. a former cyclist...
who's willing to testify.
Good evening, mister L. - Good evening.
Congratulations on your courage.
How does one start acting like that?
Being young, one thinks he's able to run the bicycle without doping.
But is takes a short period of time to realize, to become a professional cyclist...
one must take something additional.
And that something, how do you get it?
Most of the times, one doesn't even have to ask.
The same again please.
But that's Lambert.
Yes, it's Ghislain.
Claude, come have a look. Your brother is on TV.
At small local races nobody checks on doping.
At the large races isn’t the situation different?
No, at large events...
one should find an excuse not to be checked.
If you needed to be checked, you should make sure...
that the doctor didn't notice you filling the bottle.
As Pierre de Coubertin said:
winning is not important and neither is pissing.
Mister L. - Yes.
You were caught once.
Cheating is not very easy.
That's a different story.
During that period, the captain of my team was a homosexual...
He has the right to be.
He was jealous with the sympathy I got from another captain.
Just normal sympathy.
That doesn't have to do a lot with sports.
What do you want?
Stop it. Damn it.
Since that day, nobody knows what became of Ghislain...
but is was very clear...
the cycling business wanted to forget him forever.
How much for the little figures?
There on the table?
No idea.
A thousand francs for all of them, okay?
1200?
1100.
Shall I wrap them? - Yes, please.
It this okay? - Sure it is. Here you are. Good bye.
Mister Declerck...
Can I get an autograph?
Sure.
Congratulations on your victory. - Thanks.
Here you are.
Thank you very much. - Have a nice day.
as a souvenir to the small cyclists
He has a quiet way of life...
and maybe he put his fighting spirit to rest...
so only once in a while melancholy hurts him.