CADEL: Lungs on Legs ★★★★ Riverside Studios | Oct 13 - Nov 15, 2026


This is the true story of an Australian cyclist who dreamt of winning the Tour de France. In a sport plagued by drugs and cheating, he strove to run an honest race and to triumph for his country. Connor Delves, who wrote and stars in this biography, creates a portrait of grit and determination that will resonate with fans of the sports underdog genre. Think Rocky Balboa on a bicycle. It is an inspiring tale of perseverance and resilience, and Delves puts in a fine performance, most of which is on various bicycles. While we are given some of Cadel Evans’ difficult background, as his parents moved from place to place and later divorced, there is little attempt to draw an in-depth psychological portrait of the athlete. His relationship with Aldo Sassi, his coach who died before Evans achieved his goal, is also only sketched in. Nor is there much exploration of the complexities of competing at this level, the commodification of athletes or their relationships with sponsors. CADEL: Lungs on Legs is an ode to an elite athlete, but one that stays largely on the surface. For audience members unfamiliar with Cadel’s story, the drama comes from the question of whether he will achieve his ambition. For those who know the outcome, the satisfaction comes from the reassuring familiarity of the formula and Delves’ fine portrayal. He manages to immerse us in Cadel’s quest, imaginatively using video clips to create a strong sense of time and place. This is a narrative that celebrates sustained discipline, tactical intelligence and endurance. It doesn’t examine the circumstances that shaped those qualities or the world in which they are rewarded.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Adam Kenna

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: 101 Queen Caroline St, London W6 9BN, UK

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