Canterbury ex-pat Phil Keoghan (host of US reality television show The Amazing Race) returns to Christchurch for the world premiere his new film documentary, Le Ride, at NZIFF.

Le Ride follows Phil and his friend Ben Cornell as they cycle the 1928 Tour de France route. They ride an average of 240-kilometres a day for 26 days, traversing both the Pyrenees mountains and the Western Alps, on original vintage steel bikes with no gears and marginal brakes.

The documentary was made as part of Phil’s determination to raise the profile of New Zealand champion biker Harry Watson, originally from Christchurch.

“I hadn’t heard about Harry or his achievements until I spotted a book, ‘The Mile Eater’, six years ago. It told Harry’s story and just blew me away,” says Phil.

Harry Watson was part of the first English speaking team to take on the Tour de France. He and Australian teammates Hubert Opperman, Ernest Bainbridge and Percy Osborn were among 168 riders who started the race in 1928. Only 41 riders finished.

“That tour was hell on wheels. The roads were all unsealed and Harry and his co-riders were the talk of the competition. They got a standing ovation as they crossed the finish line! Harry was a champion, yet very few people in New Zealand know his remarkable story. It’s crazy - if he was an All Black, he’d be a legend,” says Phil.

Harry went on to win many cycling races in Australia – beating some of that country’s best riders. He retired from racing in 1937 and passed away at the age of 92 in 1996.

Phil and his wife Louise, who produced the film, both decided to honor Harry by not just telling his Tour de France story but by bringing it back to life by riding the route.

What transpired was a grueling journey that Phil says is the “hardest thing I have ever done. It was an insane idea but the story had to be told,” says Phil.

The journey has now been crafted into the documentary, Le Ride, which will premiere on July 29 at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.

“It’s a charming and well-researched story that anyone with an interest in our sporting past should see. Phil and his team take the audience with them on this remarkable challenge they have set themselves and you can’t help but feel their elation and pain along the way. The camera work is stunning. I could not be happier that NZIFF can provide the giant screens to show the magnificence of the settings. Both Phil and Harry are from Christchurch so it’s fitting Le Ride is shown for the first time there. The Isaac Theatre Royal will also give this premiere the sense of occasion it deserves – it will be a very special night.” says NZIFF director Bill Gosden.

Phil Keoghan will introduce his film at the world premiere in Christchurch.

“I love that Harry Watson’s story has come full circle - all the way back to Christchurch where it started. This important part of New Zealand history has been forgotten for too long and I’m looking forward to seeing it celebrated.” says Phil.