Cycling films: Today, Team Bora-hansgrohe is among the best in the world. The documentary Against All Odds – Team NetApp's Giro d'Italia shows the beginnings of the German team.
The documentation can be accessed for free on YouTube.
Against all odds: NetApp as an outsider to the Giro
Team NetApp was founded in 2010. Just two years later, the German second-division team was allowed to participate in the Giro d'Italia. The documentary " Against All Odds" shows what it's like to prepare for one of the three Grand Tours as a massive underdog. Stunning footage from the Giro and the races leading up to it gives us insight into the hard work of the professional cyclists and the team staff. Numerous audio commentaries from Ralph Denk, Jens Heppner, and several riders ensure that the documentary feels very fan-friendly and that you immediately feel connected to the team. But "Against All Odds" is particularly interesting because we all know what became of this team in the years that followed…
Ralph Denk's team got better over the long term
After the 2012 season, the team gained another title sponsor and competed under the name Team NetApp-Endura. Two years later, both sponsors withdrew, and the team became Bora-Argon 18. Today, the Raubling-based team is known as Bora-hansgrohe and is among the best teams in the world. Their rise to the top, however, was gradual and patient. The team—in terms of roster, staff, organization, and management—was continuously improved. Ralph Denk's preference for a more measured approach is also evident in " Against All Odds ." He states that he finds it much more appealing and prefers a team to work its way up from the bottom. Looking at Bora-hansgrohe's success, we can only agree with him.