Netflix’s groundbreaking new documentary about Mathieu van der Poel and Team Alpecin‑Deceuninck, combining verified details, analysis, and insigh…..

 Netflix’s groundbreaking new documentary about Mathieu van der Poel and Team Alpecin‑Deceuninck, combining verified details, analysis, and insigh.

 

 

 

 

 

Netflix has unveiled “The Underdog,” a sweeping, cinematic exploration of cycling superstar Mathieu van der Poel and his powerhouse team, Alpecin‑Deceuninck. Released globally on April 25, 2025, the film chronicles Van der Poel’s extraordinary cycling journey—from family legacy to multifaceted champion—offering unprecedented behind‑the‑scenes access to sporting triumphs, personal struggles, and team dynamics.

 

 

Legacy Rooted in Pedaled Pedigree

 

Born in 1995 into cycling royalty—son of world champion Adri van der Poel and grandson of Tour de France icon Raymond Poulidor—Mathieu was destined for two-wheeled glory. Yet “The Underdog” frames him not as a predestined legend, but as a man forging his own path under heavy expectations. Childhood footage captures a four‑year‑old tearing through dirt trails alongside family dinners rife with cycling talk. Van der Poel reflects: “Everyone expected me to be great… But what they didn’t see was the pressure.”

 

Multidisciplinary Firepower: More Than a Specialist

 

In an era of specialization, Van der Poel remains defiantly multi-­disciplinary—dominating cyclo‑cross, mountain biking, and one-day road races. The documentary explores his refusal to be confined, illustrating how this versatility became a psychological and tactical superpower. Legendary commentator Phil Liggett even calls him “borderline rebellion.”

 

Key victories—2020’s Amstel Gold comeback, dual Tour of Flanders triumphs, Paris–Roubaix, and cyclo‑cross world titles—feature prominently in cinematic recreations. The film doesn’t shy away from setbacks either, including the emotional toll of Olympic heartbreak in Tokyo and chronic injuries.

 

Team Alpecin‑Deceuninck: The Collective Engine

 

While the documentary spotlights Van der Poel, it’s equally a study of team evolution. Alpecin‑Deceuninck only ascended to WorldTeam status in 2023, but in record time, the squad achieved what no other team has done—winning the first three monuments of a season (Milan–San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix).

 

Co‑founder and general manager Philip Roodhooft remarks that their success—built on cohesion, calculated risk‑taking, and relentless work ethic—supersedes any single talent. Teammates like Jasper Philipsen, Gianni Vermeersch, and Quinten Hermans also play critical roles, proving Alpecin’s strategy is depth—not just star power.

 

Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access

 

Netflix was granted rare access over three years, filming intimate strategy sessions, training behind closed doors, late-night team discussions, and family moments. The result: an unfiltered portrait of pressure and passion. One particularly moving moment features Van der Poel reflecting with his late grandfather—“Poupou never wanted me to be like him. He wanted me to be better”.

 

The film also tackles mental health head-on. Van der Poel speaks candidly about burnout, media scrutiny, sleepless nights, and the weight of constant expectation: “You win, and people move on. You lose, and it’s a headline”. These fragments reveal vulnerability within elite performance.

 

The Art of Teamwork: Sprint Tactics to Monument Ramps

 

Alpecin‑Deceuninck’s rise is also about strategy. Their team focus spans sprints, classics, gravel races, and mountain stages. The documentary examines tactical brilliance—whether orchestrating flawless lead‑out trains for Philipsen in sprints, or setting conditions for Van der Poel on brutal cobbles of the classics. Coverage of their gravel World Championships win in Leuven showcases how disciplined teamwork paves individual glory.

 

Candid Rivals and Honest Voices

 

Rivals and industry figures also weigh in: Wout van Aert, Julian Alaphilippe, Peter Sagan, Tadej Pogačar, and Tom Pidcock offer insights into Van der Poel’s impact. Family members—especially Van der Poel’s father Adri and his grandfather’s widow—supply deeply personal context to his psyche.

 

Production: A Cinematic Masterclass

 

Directed by Lucas Vandenberg (known for Beyond the Peloton), the film blends drone sequences of alpine climbs, onboard sprint cameras, and slo-mo in mud-splashed cyclo‑cross. An original score by composer Eva Vissers adds emotional gravitas. The final scene—Mathieu riding solitary in remote Belgian woods—echoes his journey: “I never asked to be a legend. I just wanted to ride.”

 

Critical & Cultural Impact

 

Already, critics are praising The Underdog:

 

The Guardian: “a masterclass in athlete storytelling—brutal, beautiful, and brilliantly human.”

 

Variety: “transcends sport and speaks to anyone who’s ever fought to be seen on their own terms.”

 

Much like Drive to Survive transformed F1’s global profile, The Underdog is poised to redefine cycling. A wave of new participants—especially youth—are expected to be in

spired by its emotional and sporting depth.