New 'Detour de France' film launched in Sydney

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Private collection of rare Colnagos worth $300K also displayed

By Gerard Knapp

John Trevorrow and Dan Jones, the principal duo behind Detour de France, the behind-the-scenes documentary on the 2005 Tour de France, have taken on-board what they learned from their first film and are back with a new film about the 2007 Tour de France.

The completely new film, called Detour The Movie, features the crew of Australian journalist Trevorrow (who was part of the Cyclingnews editorial team at the 2007 TdF), 'radio journalist' and raconteur Denis Donoghue and filmmaker Dan Jones as they follow the 2007 Tour and capture the key events of last year's dramatic edition.

Trevorrow, a former Australian road champion and now race organiser, has great knowledge of the sport and considerable contacts and access to the peloton, particularly the Australian contingent of the TdF field. He uses his access to secure many insights into the race that are captured in the new film that is being shown in advance screenings in Australia. It had already been shown in Melbourne to an enthusiastic audience, and last night it was premiered in Sydney at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington.

The screening in Sydney also featured a display of a private collection of rare Colnago bicycles owned by Sydney businessman, and former Greek representative cyclist, Theo Drivas, arranged by Colnago's Australian distributor, FRF Sports.

Detour the movie covers each stage of the 2007 TdF, combining the official race footage with many interviews, anecdotes and colour stories as the Aussie larrikins doorstop, corner and cajole interviews and stories from some of the leading figures in the sport.

It has been released as a DVD which includes another 45 minutes of out-takes and stories from cycling photographer Tim Jenkins, such as a very social evening on the Tour with the president of the UCI, Pat McQuaid, in a very relaxed mood, enjoying the stories from Jenkins.

Once again, Trevorrow, Donoghue and Jones will be back at the 2008 Tour with the camera at the ready, hoping to capture what could be the first Australian victory on GC in the world's biggest bike race.

The Colnago collection

Standing in the corner of the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington was the private Colnago collection of Theo Drivas, now estimated to be worth AUD$300K. It included 14 rare Colnagos, nine of which have never been ridden. They include some of the rarest bikes made by Ernesto Colnago's venerable Italian firm, including a Master Piu, the gold-plated extravagance that is similar to the bike that Colnago made for Pope John Paul.

Drivas has secured unridden examples of Colnago's first-ever carbon-fibre bicycles, such as the C35 road and time trial bikes, dating back to 1989, and a pristine condition 1983 'Saronni' model, made in honour of the great Italian cyclist Giuseppe Saronni. The 'Saronni' is unique among Colnagos as it features the frame builder's named pantographed on virtually every component of the bike.

Other stand-out models in his collection are limited edition 'Colnago for Ferrari' range, including a CF1 that he purchased from a Chinese businessman who bought it as an "accessory" for his Ferrari F40 car.

Drivas' everyday bikes are either a C40 or C50 and he is very much still an active cyclist. He represented Greece in cycling from 1967-73 on both the road and track, and began his collection only several years ago. "It's not a matter of money," he said, "it's more about my passion for these bikes and cycling ... feeling the wind in your face as you ride down the road."

Born in Australia to Greek parents, Drivas returned to his family's homeland after completing primary school in Australia, and he remained there until he finished secondary school and his representative cycling career for Greece in 1973. He returned to Australia to achieve a degree in engineering before entering the property development business.

It could be said those ventures have been rather successful, as Drivas is now a principal of the Dockside Group, which owns several popular nightspots and venues on the foreshore of the Harbour city. Hence, he's been able to fund his passion in a way that is the envy of many cyclists.

But he's also a businessman. "I reckon these bikes have doubled in value in the past three years, while these original unused parts, I know they've tripled," he said, indicating that maintaining a collection of rare bicycles could also be a worthwhile investment.