Pepe Benengeli, a professional cyclist from Andalusia, Spain, competes as a domestique for Team Pao Pao Beer, dedicated to supporting the team's lead rider. He grew up in Andalusia alongside his elder brother, Angel Benengeli, a decorated former amateur cyclist. Both brothers were inspired by their uncle Ribera, whose passion for cycling endured despite paralysis from the waist down, confining him to a wheelchair.

Pepe harbors unresolved resentment toward Angel for marrying Pepe's former lover, Carmen Pascual Dominguez, during Pepe's military service absence. This conflict escalates when Angel and Carmen's wedding coincides with the penultimate stage of the Vuelta a España in Pepe's hometown. Mid-race, Pepe accidentally intercepts an open radio transmission from his sponsor, revealing plans to terminate his contract post-event. Facing unemployment and diminished prospects for the next season, he defies team orders and races to win for himself.

His determination and deep-rooted connection to Andalusia define his personality. Local bar owner Hernandez critiques Pepe's departure from their region yet champions his ambitions. Pepe's best friend, Frankie, lives vicariously through his career, embodying unrealized dreams of escaping their hometown. The race catalyzes personal resolution: upon learning of Pepe's breakaway lead, Angel moves the wedding celebration to the finish line. Pepe endures extreme heat and grueling terrain throughout the event, his journey underscoring themes of professional adversity, familial reconciliation, and reclaimed self-worth.