“PRO” takes viewers on an unforgettable ride into the ultra-elite world of the superstars of professional bike racing: Bobby Julich, Chris Horner, Freddie Rodriguez, Mike Sayers, Gord Fraser, Henk Vogels, Mark McCormack, Jonas Carney, Trent Klasna, Michael Creed, Erik Saunders, Tim Johnson and more. These superstars and their teams star in “PRO”, director
www.prothemovie.com

THE HARD ROAD follows a first year professional cycling team through an entire season, documenting their struggle to pursue a dream at any cost. While the canvas of the film is the gritty subculture of American professional bike racing, what arises are issues of loyalty, integrity, commitment, and self-knowledge in a singularly self- sufficient world in which justice is meted out by the sport itself. Follow the riders into their homes and hotel rooms; along in the van and behind the scenes of the races for an inside look at their camaraderie and triumphs, as well as their disappointments, hardship and sacrifices. Two grizzled veterans mentor six rookies, as they try to break into the ultra-elite hierarchy that is pro cycling. For the team, financial reward, a certain future and social normalcy are some of the things that must be sacrificed in exchange for a soul-deep engagement with something essential in themselves.

If you love bike racing, you’ll love The Hard Road, but the best thing about the film is that there’s much more in it than bike racing.

The film is extremely well paced and intelligently put together with an excellent voice over narration from KEITH DAVID. “The Hard Road” is a very well done and engaging film. It is HIGHLY recommended.

VELO NEWS MAGAZINE
“Paolinetti intermixes exciting race coverage, (particularly from the U.S. Pro Championships) with a grind of long arduous road trips in the team van to illustrate the reality of the pro cyclists life. Digging deeper, he documents the difficulties of his teammates as they attempt to fulfill their dream of being a pro cyclist. THE HARD ROAD hits the mark.”

BICYCLING AUSTRALIA MAGAZINE - MARTIN VERDIS
“I loved this movie. It was mesmerizing. Once I started, I just wanted to keep watching until the end. It is to road cycling what “BIG WEDNESDAY” was to surfing and “ON ANY SUNDAY” was to motocross.

BICYCLING MAGAZINE & BICYCLE GUIDE – FORMER EDITOR -GARRETT LAI
“THE HARD ROAD is a gritty inside story of a Pro team in America. For up and coming racers, it’s a preview of what may be ahead, For the rest of us, it’s a grim reality check, a reason to be thankful we ride for fun and not for a living. THIS IS THE REAL STORY OF AMERICAN BICYCLE RACING!”

BICYCLING MAGAZINE – STEVE MADDEN – EDITOR
“Cool! Equal parts Bull Durham, A Sunday in Hell and The Real World.”

TRIATHLETE MAGAZINE – JAY PRASUHN – SENIOR EDITOR
“Jamie Paolinetti bridges the gap between Triathlon and cycling into a realm we can all appreciate; the struggle for success in sport. The film transcends sport as the cyclists simply strive to survive within a fringe sport while pursuing a dream. You may never have taken part in a road race in your life, but you just might find a bit of yourself in the film.”

The RIDE MAGAZINE
“The Net Zero racers are people who have an unlimited passion for the sport, and make amazing sacrifices to chase their dream. How many pro football players would work twelve hours a day, then come home and train another four. Anyone chasing the dream of being a pro cyclist should watch THE HARD ROAD.”

V.P. FOX SPORTS NET - JOHN SMELZER
“THE HARD ROAD tells the brutal truth about what it takes to make it at the highest level of sport. The secret, SACRIFICE, THEN SACRIFCE SOME MORE!”

REALITY FILM.COM
“Narrator, Keith David’s rich, deep voice lends Paolinetti’s script plenty of power. Any movie watcher can be gripped by the story of this pro cycling team’s whirlwind season. The film proves Paolinetti to be a credible expert, as well as a credible filmmaker who can entertain viewers with a good story.”

PEZ CYCLING.COM
“Though it’s listed as a documentary, it’s really a live-action/sports film with personal drama that is about real people. A dream version of what every cyclist would want in a reality TV show. There is cool footage of race action that shows the significance of team strategy and how great it is when things work out.”

THE DAILY PELOTON.com
“Follow the racers behind the scenes of the biggest races in the U.S. for an inside look at the team’s camaraderie and triumphs, as well as their disappointments and hardships. Financial reward, a certain future, and social normalcy are just some of the things that must be sacrificed in exchange for a soul-deep engagement with something essential in themselves. If you love bike racing, you’ll love THE HARD ROAD, but the best thing about it is there is much more in this film than just bike racing.”

L. A. SPORTS AND FITNESS MAGAZINE
“When it comes to cycling, Jamie Paolinetti knows his stuff, and it shows in this feature film. Go behind the scenes of the biggest races and get to know the riders up close and personal.”

COMPETITOR MAGAZINE
“THE HARD ROAD takes you inside the world of pro cycling like no film ever has. Get an inside look at all the big pro teams, including some great footage of FRANKIE ANDREU and the U.S. Postal Team.”

MICHAEL WARD of THE WALLFLOWERS
“THE HARD ROAD captures the true spirit of suffering for what you love. A GREAT FILM!”

Meet former Lance Armstrong teammate and Outdoor Life Network broadcaster Frankie Andreu.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
6:00pm to 9:00pm
City Lights Seafood Restaurant, 301 Light Street, Harborplace Light Pavillion 2nd flr.
Towson , MD
Register Here

"If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a pro cyclist, this is your chance." So goes one of the pitch lines for The Hard Road, a film directed and edited by Jamie Paolinetti, a former pro cyclist more...

Hello Jamie, Bought the DVD and love the film - fantastic job! Have watched it four times through already in under a week... more...

Jamie Paolinetti is interviewed on Active.com. Listen to the man behind "The Hard Road" get up close and personal about the movie, pro cycling and how the this all came about.

THE HARD ROAD
tells the brutal truth about what it takes to make it at the highest levels of professional cycling - or any other endeavor of passion, for that matter. The secret? Sacrifice, then sacrifice some more. -- John Smelzer   Vice President, Business Development FOXSports.com


The Hard Road
In America, the team pecking order works something like this: You’ve got Lance Armstrong and his US Postal squad, the guys everybody knows. Then you have Saturn, Navigators and Prime Alliance, teams only bike racers recognize. And then there’s everyone else, the rookie squads struggling to make it, riders hoping for recognition and an invite to the big squads. T he Hard Road is the gritty inside story of one of these teams. For up-and-coming racers it’s a preview of the life ahead. For the rest of us it’s a grim reality check, a reason to be thankful we ride for fun, and not for a living. This is the real story of American road racing. -- Garrett Lai   former Editor of Bicycle Guide, and Bicycling Magazines


"Having raced as an amateur, as well as spending most of my adult life on the road as a musician, I can say that 'The Hard Road' captures the true spirit of suffering for what you love. A great film." -- Michael Ward   formerly of the Wallflowers


"The Hard Road" delivers. It brings us into the rider's homes and hotel rooms, along in the team van and behind the scenes of the races to show us the team's camaraderie and triumphs, as well as their disappointments, hardship and sacrifices. In the background, or as Paolinetti would say, in the pauses, what arises are issues of justice and fairness, loyalty and honor, integrity, truth, self knowledge and commitment. Financial reward, a certain future, social normalcy, and personal comforts are some of the things that the riders must give up in exchange for a soul-deep engagement with something essential in themselves." -- Alan Smithe   Hollywood, CA


"The measure of a man, the notion of justice and fairness, and the idea of a level playing field are central themes in "The Hard Road." Paolinetti presents us with a singularly self-sufficient world in which justice is meted out by the sport itself. Riders are chosen or not chosen for races, and do well or don't, according to their abilities and commitment. Workers and leaders take their rightful places as the riders face the contest week after week. Through the crucible of the season, both on and off the bike, careers are made and unmade by every aspect of the life itself. If you love bike racing, you'll love "The Hard Road," but the best thing about the film is the that there's much more in it than bike racing. -- The Daily Peloton


Their world is raw and tough and those who embrace it understand that they will always be a few inches away from hitting the pavement at 40 miles per hour. “TheHard Road” from Jamie Paolinettitakes you inside the world of professional cycling like no film ever has. -- Bob Babbitt   Publisher, Competitor Magazine


wow!
what a treat it was to come see your screening. your film was truly wonderful --- educational, engaging and universal in it's theme about pursuing one's passion against all odds. -- Anne Wilde


Hey Jamie,
Im sure you will have lots of these kinds of e-mail's in your in-box but all I can say is WOW! What a great movie. So cool for me to see footage like that from domestic races. The writing was awesome. You should be really proud. Greg also did an amazing job. -- Keith Michaels Aussie Clothing


Two thumbs up! Five stars! Bring your Mum, she will finally understand!
The Hard Road is a movie that succeeds at many levels. Out of the gate it communicates not only how and what professional cycling is but imparts the essence of the passion, not only for the sport, but of the riders and fans as well.

You may have heard it is a documentary; it is. The highest compliment I can give is that five minutes into the film you will forget you ever heard that label. Bring a seat belt and strap yourself in for almost two hours of racing the pro circuit with a two veteran pro riders guiding their neopro team in its first season in the pro ranks. Follow the team from the first spring classic to the last race in fall. Come along on a season of suffering, disappointments, trials and victories. This is the real stuff, the deep down grit that moves every rider to work harder, dig deeper and reach for the ultimate performance: this is pro racing!

On another level, the movie not only explains, but also demonstrates, that cycling is a team sport, second to none in tactics, excitement and speed. More than just a look at one team, it is an inside look at what drives the peloton and the day to day sacrifices the riders and their families make to train, travel and race for a full professional season. What Jamie Paolinetti does best with this film is communicate. He communicates his own passion for pro cycling, to devotees of cycling and novices alike, with a movie that entertains and enlightens. Best of all, his passion may be contagious!

Two thumbs up! Five stars! Bring your Mum, she will finally understand! -- Vaughn Trevi


Here it is!
In the five months since I viewed the rough cut of this film at the San Francisco Grand Prix, Jamie Paolinetti has turned it from a meandering but endearing view of the lives of Division III professional cyclists into an extremely tight documentary about the nature of the sport itself. This film is unique: it introduces neophytes to the world of professional cycling through explaining simple cycling concepts, but contains enough gritty, behind-the-scenes detail to please even the most elitist and experienced cycling aficionado. The narrative covers a year in the life of the 2001 NetZero cycling team, but it also serves as an exploration of the economics and politics of the American cycling scene. Through his depiction of the family trauma, the physical pain, and the good humor of his subjects, Paolinetti gives us the first truly accurate filmic portrait of life as an American cyclist.

The first segment of the film is a bit jarring: the early Spring season flies by with a series of voice-overs, ellipses, and fast edits that left my head spinning. At first I was worried that perhaps Paolinetti had cut too much from the rough version, and that the heart of the film—the portraits of the Division III riders themselves—had been sacrificed for the sake of a more fast-paced narrative. As the rapid-fire sequence came to a close, however, I realized that Paolinetti had achieved a very calculated effect: he had reproduced in the audience the sense of vertigo, pressure, and moderate frustration that the cyclists themselves were experiencing as they got shelled by bigger teams in their early races. As the riders start to find success, the narrative slows down and allows the audience members to get oriented through a more careful look at the lives of the riders themselves.

This is the true strength of this film: once it hits its stride, it manages to blend the drama of the races and the drama of the riders' personal lives into a seamless and powerful whole. As the riders progress through the race calendar, the race footage is intercut with their personal stories such that it is clear what is at stake for each of them when they hit the road. With interviews from young pros like Jason Bausch to grizzled veterans like Graeme Millar and Frankie Andreu, Paolinetti manages to give a complete picture of the sport that is still struggling for acceptance in the United States. If this film receives the distribution and the publicity that it deserves, it could serve as a major force in advancing the cause of cycling in America. While I hope to see it in theaters and on television, I can't wait until this film comes out on video so that I can give copies to my family and non-cycling friends. Maybe then they'll understand why I get up at 6 am for weeks on end just to watch races half a world away, and why I can sit and watch grown men and women ride their bikes in a big circle all day long. -- Dr. Patrick B. Sharp Assistant Professor California State University at Los Angeles


Outstanding!!!
Thanks for the invite. You did a remarkable job with the film. Glad the MBGP could be a "backdrop" for some of some film. Can't wait to get my hands on the DVD. -- Eric Smith Race Director Manhattan Beach Grand Prix


Saturday March 8 was the premiere of "The Hard Road", a documentary about the fledgling pro cycling team, NetZero, of which I was lucky enough to be a part. The premiere was held at the Oakley "Interplanetary Headquarters", which is like a cross between the "Bat Cave" and "Dr. Evil's Lair"; pretty much the coolest building I've ever been in. The night began with a lot of schmoozing at the pre-movie party, and it was great to catch up with some people I'd been out of touch with. From there, we were filed into the theatre,(Yeah, Oakley has it's own theatre with seating for 450 people. Pretty cool, huh?), and the show started. The movie takes an in-depth look at the struggles and sacrifices of each member of the team throughout the course of the season. I won't go into too much detail about the film, but if you are interested in bike racing, (and since you're reading www.dailypeloton.com, I assume you are) you should see it. Actually, it's about a lot more than bike racing. It is definitely the most accurate depiction of what life is like for a struggling cyclist I have seen, but also gives the perspectives of the family members of NetZero racers, which is probably my favorite part. Watching the film brought back a lot of the emotion from that year, especially given my recent decision to put pro bike racing on the back-burner to pursue a "real job". The film was written, directed, and edited by NetZero team captain Jamie Paolinetti. If that sounds like a lot of work for one guy, I can vouch for the fact that he pretty much didn't sleep throughout the process of making the movie. -- Ryan Barrett has ridden for the NetZero and Schroeder Iron Pro Cycling Teams, as well as the US National Team.


Jamie,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to see your film. I enjoyed it so much that I had to let you know. As I told you, I knew nothing about bike racing before seeing your film. I have to tell you I had no idea how committed and disciplined you have to be.
All pro sports have an element of commitment and discipline, but along with it comes the fame and the money if your good enough. What your film showed me is that there are people who are passionate about what they are doing, and are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to achieve their goal. I admire anyone who has a passion in life, and the fact that they are doing something they absolutely love not for the fame and glory but for the sake of being able to do it, and that in its self is your reward !
I didn’t expect to feel the way I do about your film, but what you achieved ( with me anyway ) is that I will never look at athletes the same way, and most certainly I have a new found respect for pro bike racers !! I also didn’t expect to have the emotion I had as you showed each race, or the compassion I felt for your team mates.
Thank you again for the evening, not only did I enjoy it tremendously, but I learned something. -- Vickie Obriant newcomer to cycling


The Hard Road is an interesting collection of micro stories bound together by performance road cycling. Cycling is one of the most participated forms of recreation in the world but few understand road bicycle racing and all of its intricacies. The Hard Road brings a hard to understand sport to the main stream viewer and does a masterful job of it. -- Gerald Lee