Clean Spirit

Clean Spirit is an intriguing documentary that gives the audience an unfiltered front-row seat to the world of professional cycling. The film was created in 2014 under the seasoned guidance of director Dirk Jan Roeleven and it creates a poignant and dynamic narrative that dives deep into the fascinating, gritty and often tumultuous life of those who exists within the professional cycling orbit.

This documentary zeroes down on the period of the 100th saga of Tour de France that took place in 2013. But what separates it from other sport documentaries is its fine refinement that focuses on not only the physical trials of enduring such a taxing combat but also the emotional toll that the cyclists and their teams have to negotiate with.

The film arches around the acclaimed Dutch cycling team Argos-Shimano, featuring some of cycling greats such as Marcel Kittel, John Degenkolb and Frenchman Warren Barguil. The narrative ingeniously unravels the tightly bound team-unit showing us the intense amount of pressure these athletes endure and the high-stakes battle they fight constantly – not only against their rivals in the race but also against the persisting crisis of doping that shackles the world of professional cycling.

What gives the film an edge of authenticity is its illustration of the team as they ‘strive to stay clean' amidst the rampant culture of doping that infests the sport – thus the title, Clean Spirit. No blanket statements are made and no heroes or villains are identified, but the entire discourse is handled with a profound sense of transparency and nuance.

Dirk Jan Roeleven invites the viewers into an all-access, “fly-on-the-wall” experience, giving us an intimate tour into various facets of professional cycling that usually remains behind the scenes. We get to look at the brutal nature of the sport, the strict regimentation, the intense training sessions, the strategic planning along with the thrilling races, the celebrations of victory and the disappointments of defeat.

Alongside the cyclists, the documentary also focuses on the unsung heroes of this sport that includes the coaches, physicians, and various other backstage staff members. The striking range of emotions that this documentary captures is incredible – from athletes breaking down to triumphant smiles, from painful injuries to the palpable rush of adrenaline before a race.

One of the major themes Clear Spirit successfully captures is the pulsating tension and drama that is inextricably intertwined with professional cycling. The fear of injuries is real as is shown in one of the early scenes where a horrific accident takes place leaving one of the riders with a fractured hip. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the heralding sense of fear that sweeps over the team after the accident, indicating the emotional pain that comes along with the physical.

Another gripping element is the constant undercurrent of the doping scandals. The ‘stigma of suspicion’ is omnipresent and the film handles it with riveting integrity as it unveils the team’s efforts to combat and withstand it, staying true to the righteous route even in the face of adversity.

Visually stunning and emotionally charged, Clean Spirit is more than just a sports documentary. It's a deep probing into the different personalities of the team, the personal battles they fight, their individual motivations and ambitions, and the common goal that binds them together.

In director Dirk Jan Roeleven’s own words, "This is a film for any one interested in sport, competition, and the potential of the human spirit". True to his words, this film offers a thrilling ride, imbued with human emotions in all its rawness and reality, that far transcend the realm of cycling enthusiasts. With its brilliant narrative arc and riveting depiction, Clean Spirit is an enthralling testament to the challenges and charisma of professional cycling.