Professional cycling gets the “Drive to Survive” treatment as Netflix prepares to release a behind-the-scenes documentary following the Tour de France.
This is not Netflix’s first foray into cycling, having previously produced a mini-series following Movistar, but organisers of the sport will hope that wider access to the peloton can broaden the fanbase in a manner akin to how Formula 1 unlocked a new generation of fans after letting cameras into the paddock.
The programme will chart the trials and tribulations of the world’s best cyclists during three weeks in France last year, with Jonas Vingegaard sure to feature prominently after a superlative showing to claim his first Grand Tour crown.
Vingegaard’s Jumbo Visma are one of eight teams set to be covered in depth across the series.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is “Tour de France: Unchained” set to be released?
Netflix’s first trailer for the series suggests that the documentary will be released on Thursday 8 June, less than a month before the 2023 Tour de France starts in Bilbao on 1 July.
What will the programme be about?
The documentary will cover the 2022 Tour de France, won impressively by Jonas Vingegaard as the Danish rider unseated Tadej Pogacar, the two-time defending champion, to claim his first yellow jersey.
The series is produced by Quadbox, a joint venture between Quad and Box to Box Films - the latter company are the producers of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive”.
Which teams will be featured?
There are eight teams set to be featured prominently, with each reported to have had a dedicated film crew accompanying them throughout the 2022 Tour
The teams are:
- AG2R Citroen
- Alpecin-Fenix
- Bora-Hansgrohe
- EF Education-EasyPost
- Groupama-FDJ
- Ineos Grenadiers
- Jumbo-Visma
- Quick-Step AlphaVinyl
Reports in France suggest that the first episode will cover Quick-Step AlphaVinyl closely. The team won the first two stages of the 2022 Tour, with Yves Lampaert taking victory in the opening Copenhagen time trial before Fabio Jakobsen powered home in Nyborg.
Will Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates be involved?
As the defending champion and perhaps the finest male road cyclist in the world, Tadej Pogacar would have been a logical inclusion in the documentary. However, UAE Team Emirates have not been included in the eight featured teams.
It means that Pogacar’s battle with Vingegaard will only be seen in depth from the Dane’s perspective.
Fans may be left disappointed to not see the two-time Tour de France winner up close and personal, although the Slovenian will feature more sporadically across race footage as the story of last year’s race is told.
