Success is not a matter of hoping for the best, it is the consequence of doing things right. It is the result of doing hundreds of small things right, every single day. That philosophy has defined Alpecin-Premier Tech for years: preparing every detail while recognising that cycling remains one of the most unpredictable of sports, and that the Tour de France can never be scripted.
That philosophy lies at the heart of Expect the Unexpected, a new behind-the-scenes documentary
following Alpecin-Premier Tech in the weeks leading up to the 2026 Tour de France. Through exclusive
access to riders, staff and team management, the film reveals how months of meticulous preparation,
innovation and teamwork come together in pursuit of opportunities for stage victories, the green jersey
and, perhaps, even yellow.
Inside the team
The title says it all. Expect the Unexpected reflects the contradiction. While we believe preparation is the
key element, you know unforeseen scenarios will come to life. And being able to adapt and readjust is
needed and mandatory, to gain success.
At the same time, the title is a promise to viewers. The documentary offers unprecedented access to what usually remains hidden: the inner workings of a WorldTeam preparing for cycling’s biggest event.
More than the stars
Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel have already won Tour stages, worn yellow and green, and
established themselves among the biggest names in professional cycling. Yet every Tour de France begins the same way: from zero.
While the two team leaders naturally feature prominently, the documentary also follows the young riders
whose dream of riding the Tour suddenly becomes reality. It captures the excitement, uncertainty and
responsibility of earning a place in one of cycling’s most successful teams.
The cameras also follow Christoph and Philip Roodhooft and their staff as they select riders, define tactical objectives, assign roles and prepare every detail long before the team arrives at the start line.
A race of daily opportunities
For Alpecin-Premier Tech, the Tour de France is not about the general classification. It is a race of
opportunities. Every stage offers a new chance: a bunch sprint, a reduced finish, a breakaway or a tactical masterpiece. The objective is simple: win stages. Everything beyond that is a bonus.
That philosophy is perfectly captured by the Roodhooft brothers: “The big things are planned, the details
are improvised. The documentary explores the delicate balance between meticulous preparation and the
unpredictability that makes the Tour de France unique.”
The first major test
One of the documentary’s central storylines is the opening team time trial in Barcelona. It is unfamiliar
territory for Alpecin-Premier Tech, but also an opportunity. Every rider has a clearly defined role, every
second matters and every decision is carefully prepared. A strong performance could immediately put
Mathieu van der Poel in contention for the yellow jersey.
Exclusive access
Created in close collaboration between Alpecin and Team Alpecin-Premier Tech, Expect the Unexpected
provides unprecedented access to training camps, internal meetings and personal moments involving
riders and staff.
“We’ve been working closely with the team for years, so it was only natural to join forces to provide the best possible insides for cycling fans,” says Eduard R. Dörrenberg, CEO of the Dr. Wolff Group. “This documentary is more than just a film about a race; it shows what it really means to prepare together for the biggest event of the year.””
