The Least Expected Day: Inside the Movistar Team 2019 is a riveting docuseries that takes viewers behind the scenes of one of the most successful cycling teams in recent history. A collaboration between Netflix and the Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica, the series follows the Movistar Team throughout the 2019 season, providing a unique and intimate look at the highs and lows of professional cycling.
The series is structured around the major races of the season, including the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a España. Each episode focuses on a different race, weaving together footage of the riders in action with interviews, training sessions, and backstage glimpses of life on the road. Through this approach, viewers get a sense of the massive logistical operation involved in running a professional cycling team, as well as the physical and mental challenges faced by the riders themselves.
Throughout the series, the focus is on the Movistar Team's three leaders: Nairo Quintana, Mikel Landa, and Alejandro Valverde. These three riders are among the most talented and experienced in the peloton, and each has a unique story to tell. Quintana, a diminutive Colombian climber, has already won the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, but is determined to add the Tour de France to his palmarès. Landa, a Basque rider with a reputation for attacking racing, is looking to prove himself as a legitimate Grand Tour contender. And Valverde, a Spanish veteran and former World Champion, is seeking to add to his already impressive record of race victories.
However, The Least Expected Day is not just a hagiography of these three stars. The series also highlights the work of the supporting cast, including domestiques like Marc Soler and Carlos Verona, and the team's director, Eusebio Unzué. These unsung heroes play a vital role in the Movistar Team's success, sacrificing their own chances of victory to help the leaders, and using their tactical acumen to guide the riders through the complex terrain of modern cycling.
The series also explores some of the off-the-bike dramas that characterize professional cycling. These include rivalries between teams and riders, disputes over tactics and leadership, and, of course, the looming threat of doping scandals. The series is refreshingly frank about these issues, showing how they impact the riders and the sport as a whole.
What makes The Least Expected Day such a compelling watch, however, is the quality of the filmmaking. The series is beautifully shot, with a cinematic quality that captures the drama and beauty of professional cycling. The filmmakers use a variety of techniques to convey the speed and intensity of the races, including drone footage, on-board cameras on the bikes, and slow-motion shots of the riders in action. The result is a visually stunning series that immerses viewers in the world of professional cycling like never before.
In conclusion, The Least Expected Day: Inside the Movistar Team 2019 is a must-watch for any cycling fan. With its unique access to one of the top teams in the sport, its compelling narratives and its stunning visual style, the series is a feast for the eyes and the mind. Whether you're a seasoned fan of the sport or a newcomer looking to learn more, this series is sure to delight and inspire.
The Least Expected Day: Inside the Movistar Team 2019 is a series that ran for 3 seasons (16 episodes) between March 27, 2020 and on Netflix
