ProRoadAccess is a new project by Brian Smallwood that documents the peloton, riders and support staff that make up professional road bicycle racing. Episode one follows United Healthcare p/b Maxxis rider Eric Barlevav as he tells how he got into cycling and what it’s like racing on a major team. Intro above, parts one and two after the break…
Here’s the backstory, from Brian’s Press Release:
Pro Road Access Productions releases first documentary featuring Eric Barlevav of UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis.
Los Angeles, CA – Eric Barlevav of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis is the featured rider in the first of a series of cycling documentaries by Emmy® Award winner Brian Smallwood and his Pro Road Access Productions.
Smallwood followed Barlevav around over the course of several months, including the week leading up to the team’s Arizona training camp, as well as time at camp and through races in Central and Southern California during the early season.
The Pro Road Access documentary featuring Barlevav is the first in a series that will highlight the pro cycling lifestyle. Smallwood featured Barlevav, a rising talent in the U.S., precisely because he isn’t yet a household name.
“As a huge fan of Pro Cycling, I really want to bring my experience and passion to the screen and help more North American Pro riders get into public view,†Smallwood said. “We know who the stars are, the networks do a great job of that. I am trying to bring forward the super talented, though lesser known riders in the peloton. There are some great personalities out there. As a fan, I really want to see them and know their stories.â€
The show’s mood is fun and relaxed,with lots of music, travel and good living, I take my inspiration from Surfing films.”
The Barlevav feature is intended to be the first in a series of made-for-TV documentaries about the lives of pro road cyclists. Other documentaries in the series will focus on riders from a variety of teams racing at different levels in the United States and Europe.
“I have spoken to many Pro’s over the last few years and have received great interest from riders such as Chris Horner, Tim Johnson and Christian Vande Velde.” Already attached to future projects are Mike Friedman of Team Jelly Belly, the recent winner of the 10 day tour of Korea, and Ivan Dominguez from team Jamis, Sutter Home. ” I expect more riders to show interest as the show becomes more visible and funding for the series increases.”
Smallwood is currently pitching the weekly series to several networks. You can watch the Barlevav documentary at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYJUUZwmy_Q and see more at: www.proroadaccess.com
About Brian Smallwood: Brian Smallwood is a former pro mountain bike racer with Klein and Raleigh, Category 1 roadie and California state track champion. In 2005, he won an Emmy® for his work on the Fox Super Bowl pre-show.
