Until 2021, Anton Palzer was active as a ski mountaineer and was one of the world's best. He then embarked on a new career path: as a professional cyclist. Team Bora-Hansgrohe, for whom he still rides today, signed him in 2021. A lot has happened since then. The documentary "Breaking the Cycle" charts Palzer's transformation between sports.
Where can I see the documentary about Anton Palzer?
The joint production by Red Bull and Eurosport is available on demand on Discovery+, Eurosport and GCN+. In addition Red Bull TV the cycling documentary about Anton Palzer from 22 August.
The film looks back on Anton Palzer's childhood and shows, among other things, how he finds his way in the professional peloton at the Tour of the Alps or the Tour de Suisse before he starts his career in August 2021. Vuelta a Espana tackles his first major national tour over three weeks.
Palzer wants to tell his story
Former ski mountaineer Anton Palzer does not want to be compared with former ski jumper Primoz Roglic.
"I want to tell the story of Anton Palzer and not try to imitate other athletes such as Primoz Roglic. He also came from a different sport. But I want to tell the story of myself and show everyone that you can achieve a lot in life if you are courageous, fearless and determined. I believe that changing sports - I was 28 years old, so not so young - is a brave step. And I did it. I would say that the project of Anton switching to professional cycling has been pretty successful so far," says the 29-year-old German on the Bora-Hansgrohe website.
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For Bora-Hansgrohe team boss Ralph Denk, the signing of Anton Palzer has paid off. "It was a certain risk for us, but I think that in the end our joint success proves us right. Sometimes you have to leave the beaten track and try something new, that's the only way to get ahead in life. As Team Bora-Hansgrohe, we are also committed to this, but Toni epitomises this approach perfectly with his story. Toni has become an important part of Bora-Hansgrohe in the last two years and his learning curve, also in terms of his role and tasks, is more than remarkable."
Praise from Ralph Denk
Anton Palzer has yet to win as a professional cyclist and finished 102nd overall at the 2021 Vuelta. Nevertheless, Denk rates the results of the career changer very highly.
"You also have to put your achievements into perspective. As an absolute beginner when it comes to cycling, to go from the first race to the Vuelta in just five months, that's hard to put into words. Anyone who has been a racer knows what I mean. Normally, with the years in the junior ranks, in the U23 and the first steps in professional cycling, you probably have seven or eight years of experience before you tackle a Grand Tour. In Toni's case, it was just eleven months from signing to the Vuelta."
