While we wait for the Lance Armstrong movie to begin shooting, the amazing story of Graeme Obree — “The Flying Scotsman” — comes to the screen.
Obree twice broke bicycling's world hour record, once in July 1993 and again in April 1994. But why do these achievements rate a movie? He battled more than wind resistance and pain to set the world records.
His success is all the more incredible because he always raced as an amateur, without major sponsorships. He also constantly tussled with authorities at the Union Cycliste Internationale who rejected his aerodynamic riding positions and equipment, once informing him of rule changes an hour before a pursuit championship.
Obree also suffered from a bipolar disorder that hampered further success in the sport and business. Obree's autobiography, “The Flying Scotsman,” was published in 2003.
The Scotsman built and modified his racing bikes, sometimes scrounging parts where he could. After setting his world record, he told a journalist that he used a washing-machine part on the bike. Obree told the BBC:
“My biggest regret of my career is mentioning to a journalist that there was a bit from a washing machine in my bike. Now forever I will be remembered as the washing machine guy.”
While Obree's name is little-known, it took two of cycling's major contenders to beat his records; the first time Englishman Chris Boardman. The second record, 52.713 kilometers in an hour, was beat set by Spaniard Miguel Indurain.
“The Flying Scotsman” movie, based on the autobiography, was released at the Edinburgh film festival and has been nominated as best film, best actor, best actress, best screenplay and best director in the 2006 Lloyds TSB BAFTA Scotland Awards.
The film stars Jonny Lee Miller as Graeme Obree and Laura Fraser as Anne Obree. It's directed by Douglas Mackinnon.
Reuters reports that MGM has worldwide distribution rights for the movie. MGM plans to release the film Dec. 29 in North America.
Above, Obree's “old faithful” tuck position at RichardPettinger.com.
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