Tour de France organiser ASO has confirmed the upcoming Netflix series from makers of Drive to Survive that will document the 2022 race.
Previously, after the massive success of the Formula One show that also helped pique interest in the sport itself, Netflix had planned to launch a cycling event for a niche audience using the same format. It aims to document the races, give an insight into the behind-the-scenes footage and feature interviews.
The cameras will closely follow the participants and the staff members of the seven WorldTour squads and the ProTour squad. The makers of Drive to Survive, Box to Box Films will make a comeback on Netflix for the cycling show to aim for similar success.
The show will focus on the eight teams’ preparation for the Tour before documenting the 2022 race. Filming will take place between March and July 2022.
Netflix has confirmed the eight teams, namely Jumbo-Visma, Alpecin-Fenix, Quick-Step AlphaVinyl, Ag2r Citroën, EF Education EasyPost, Ineos Grenadiers, Groupama-FDJ and Movistar.
However, the team bosses are seemingly sceptical of the whole process. While Quick-Step’s Patrick Lefevere has agreed to the terms and conditions, he has admitted that the venture will not be worth their time if the money is insufficient. He said, “I have now pledged verbally, but with moderate enthusiasm and with reservations. If the fee for the teams doesn’t go up in the future, it won’t be worth the squeeze.”
EF’s Jonathan Vaughters fears the reception of the series given how nuanced a sport cycling is. However, they agree on the positive effects of documentaries and series in garnering audience interest in a particular sport.
The series will have eight 45-minute-episodes. Before the start of the 2023 Tour de France, France Televisions, which is also involved in the production, will feature a 52-minute documentary.
The series will most likely air in May 2023.
