As the dawn of adulthood beckons for Dave, Mike, Cyril, and Moocher in Bloomington, Indiana, they find themselves enveloped in a haze of uncertainty. This quartet of working-class friends, now on the brink of turning 19, grapples with their aspirations in the wake of high school graduation, grappling with the reality that attending university feels like a distant dream. Their sanctuary becomes an abandoned limestone quarry, a place where they swim and sometimes clash with the more privileged students from Indiana University, who derogatorily label them as "cutters," a term rooted in the locals' limestone industry profession.
Among this group, Dave's obsession with competitive bicycle racing stands out fiercely, fueled by his recent purchase of a Masi bicycle and his admiration for Italian racers. His father, Ray, a former stonecutter turned dubious used car dealer, struggles to comprehend his son's passion for Italian culture and music, assuming it solely revolves around cycling. In contrast, Dave's mother, Evelyn, showcases a deeper appreciation of her son's interests, often whipping up Italian dishes to his father's vexation.
As Dave becomes enamored with university student Katherine, he whimsically adopts the guise of an Italian exchange student, "Caterina," to capture her attention. One memorable evening, under the enchanting strum of Cyril's guitar, he serenades "Caterina" outside her sorority by passionately singing Friedrich von Flotow's aria > "M'apparì Tutt' Amor." Yet, this charade swiftly unravels when Katherine's boyfriend, Rod, alongside his fraternity brothers, mistakes Cyril as the suitor and retaliates brutally. Mike, a former high school football star, steps in to confront Rod, igniting a chaotic brawl that draws the ire of university president Dr. John W. Ryan (portrayed by the real-life president), who chastises the students for their haughty dismissal of the "cutters" and invites the town to join the upcoming Indiana University Little 500 race.
With an Italian cycling team set to visit for an exhibition event, Dave seizes the chance to measure himself against them, but finds only disdain from the Italians, culminating in a crash that shatters his delusions. The fallout from his deception leaves Katherine dejected and in turmoil.
As Dave contemplates joining his friends in the quest for triumph in the Little 500, a newfound sense of camaraderie begins to resonate within him. Reflecting on his own past, Ray shares a touching story of his youth as a young stonecutter who proudly contributed materials for the university's foundation, yet never felt a true sense of belonging on campus. This intimate moment steers the narrative forward.
A serendipitous encounter occurs when Dave meets Katherine once more, who is poised to embark on a new chapter in Chicago. The two ex-lovers reconcile, suggesting an unresolved connection that lingers beneath the surface.
As the Little 500 race intensifies, Dave taps into his extraordinary cycling abilities, thrusting himself into the lead. Whereas his friends take turns in the saddle, he commits to riding solo, pushing his limits relentlessly. Despite suffering a crash, he finds resilience and gradually starts to recover lost time on the course.
In a desperate attempt to improve their standings, Mike, Cyril, and Moocher rotate riders, yet they only drift further behind. Faced with rising pressure, Dave decides to tape his feet to the pedals, persisting in a race against himself.
In an exhilarating climax, Dave surpasses Rod from the favored fraternity team and sprints across the finish line in victory. This moment of triumph not only brings immense pride to Ray but also inspires him to embrace cycling, recognizing its myriad health benefits.
As Dave acclimates to university life, his heart nudges him toward a captivating French student, kindling a shared passion for the Tour de France and the enchanting world of French cycling.
