More rhythmic and closer to the riders, season 2 of the Tour de France series moves up a gear. A real success.
Launched in 2023, the documentary series Tour de France: at the heart of the peloton immediately met its audience. Taking up the codes that made the success of the reference Formula 1: Drive to Survive the Londoners from Box to Box Films had delivered eight episodes that were convincing both in substance and in form to Netflix . For the first season, director James Gay-Rees and his acolytes – specialists in the genre who collect awards thanks to F1, but also surfing, boxing, football and golf – validated the choice of the organizers (Amaury Sport Organization) to embark on the adventure. No major sporting event can today do without its “doc series” on one of the major global platforms…
For this new season – dedicated to the 2023 edition of the Tour de France – Netflix is moving up a gear. Thanks to the creation of the company QuadBox, which combines English resources with the French skills of Quad Productions, the cycling series is resolutely changing gear. Available this June 11, it masters the manufacturing secrets which have already proven themselves but adds a Frenchy touch which gives it an additional dimension.
Confidences of champions
“ We knew the series could be improvedexplains Yann Le Bourbouac’h, who directed the final Franco-British production of season 2. And we had two new priority objectives. The first was to be much more human, with more access to the personalities who are racing. We wanted people to be able to say to themselves: “Hey, I like him while I don’t like this one so much…” »
The tone is set straight away when the cameras enter Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) or Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) during the first episode. The champions’ secrets are delivered under the gaze of their respective companions, including consultant Marion Rousse. “ You are best placed to attack Vingegaard », says his other half to the Slovenian without embellishment. In episode 4, the celebration of Pello Bilbao’s stage victory (Bahrain Victorious) in tribute to his teammate Gino Mäder, who died before the race, provokes an intense wave of emotion on screen. Here again, the series enters into the intimacy of the protagonists without falling into voyeurism. A respectable and appreciable approach.
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“The second objectivecontinues Yann Le Bourbouac’h,was to construct episodes for a more serial reading. That we can register viewers for all the films, over the total duration of the event. » During the eight episodes of around forty minutes each, several characters create unexpected situations. The Australian Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) in distress, the Frenchman Marc Madiot (Groupama-FDJ) angry, the yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), very protective of his teammates, but also lulled by doubt at the bottom of his bed… Beyond the rebounds linked to the events of the race, the Tour de France peloton does not only appear like an immense barnum. It is indeed a traveling village which deals with the personalities of each of its protagonists.
Read alsoAt the heart of the peloton: Netflix renews its series on the Tour de France for a season 2
This authentic and French vision, closer to reality, should appeal internationally. The authenticity of the runners combined with the beauty of the landscapes could lead Netflix to renew the documentary series for 2024. Thanks to the incredible drone images and cameras plunged into the crowd, the Tour de France 2023 retains its magic intact. There remains an unmissable spectacle to rewatch before returning to the 111e live edition from Saturday June 29, from Florence, Italy…
