Netflix trailer reveals what to expect from series 2 of Tour de France Unchained

Netflix has given fans a taste of what to expect from series 2 of Tour de France: Unchained, the streaming giant’s follow-up to its original docu-series shining a light on the world’s biggest bike race.

Series 1 aired last June, showcasing the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes footage of 2022 Tour de France. Series 2 was filmed soon after that release and, like last year, is set to launch just ahead of this year’s Tour de France. There is no specific release date as it stands, and no confirmation on whether a third series will be filmed this July.

The trailer begins with Dutch sprinter Fabio Jakobsen raising his middle finger to the camera, and the rest of the minute-long teaser suggests that Netflix is leaning into the more controversial aspects of the personalities and storylines surrounding the 2023 edition of the Tour.

Before long we see a stricken Mark Cavendish, his hopes of surpassing Eddy Merckx for an outright record 35th stage win gone up in smoke. Then we have two replays of particularly nasty crashes, Carlos Rodríguez going down and being ridden into by those behind, before a Jayco-AlUla rider flips over a guardrail.

Read more: Eisel: 'Mark Cavendish's Tour de France dedication is stupid but this is the sport we fell in love with'

Talk of suffering and risk-taking further bolsters the suspicion that, as in the first series, Netflix will play heavily on professional cycling being a much tougher sport than casual viewers might expect.

The series is also set to delve into the tense relationship between two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe and his Soudal Quick-Step team boss Patrick Lefevere, which has already played out extensively in the media.

“Julian Alaphilippe costs a lot of money,” says Lefevere to the camera. Asked how much he is paid, Alapihlippe says: “A bit too much for Patrick, I think.” Alaphilippe is pictured alongside his child and his wife, Marion Rousse, who was publicly criticised by Lefevere for her perceived role in his lack of recent results.

Moving on, the trailer turns to angry riders, with Ben O’Connor, David Gaudu and Wout van Aert all pictured fuming on their respective team buses, an area usually shut off to the outside world and a key part of Netflix’s behind-the-scenes access.

Read more: Inside a pro team team bus with Lotto Dstny

The topic of doping is also set to be broached, although details are cryptic at this point.

“Do you think he is potentially doping, or not?” asks an off-screen interviewer, at which point we see Thibaut Pinot staring down the camera. The scene cuts away before we get an answer from the Frenchman, if indeed he does provide one, and before we get any specification of who the doping suspicion would concern.

The full list of teams that Netflix had access to for series 2 of Unchained has yet to be confirmed but the eight teams who made up the first series are set to return: Visma-Lease a Bike, Ineos Grenadiers, Soudal Quick-Step, Bora-Hansgrohe, Alpecin-Deceuninck, EF Education-EasyPost, Decathlon-AG2R, and Groupama-FDJ.

UAE Team Emirates, the team of Tadej Pogačar, were a key omission last year and although they were linked with a starring role for series 2, GCN reported that no contract was in place and that the team were taking requests from Netflix on a case-by-case basis.

For more pro cycling news visit our dedicated race hub on the GCN website.