Bob Jungels (right) and Magnus Cort (left) in action. © ANSA / SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Netflix and the Tour: Between Good and Evil

Netflix documentaries have been all the rage in sports since the success of "Drive to Survive." Cycling also received its own version three years ago, and those involved have mixed feelings about it.

July 19, 2024

From: dpa

Cameras film almost every step, there is greater popularity and also criticism: The cycling teams of the Tour de France have been accompanied by Netflix for the third year in a row. "Cycling is sexy," said Ralph Denk, team manager of Red Bull. "I don't want to say that it's just Netflix, but our sport is growing and getting bigger."

The streaming provider recently announced the release of the third season of “Tour de France: In the Peloton.” “The fact that Netflix is ​​interested in this shows that the sport is sexy,” said Denk.

Not always pleasant for teams

It's nothing new for the teams to have lots of cameras pointed at them. But Netflix is ​​even closer. They accompany the professionals to meetings in the team bus, are at the drivers' homes, or film the massages and dinners in the hotel.

Netflix does not support all teams, but the German Red Bull racing team is participating again this year. "Of course, this is not always pleasant for our employees. But on the other hand, employees ask for pay rises every year," said Denk. "95 percent of our income comes from sponsors. If I have more sponsors because we are more interesting, then we are happy to give pay rises."

Jai Hindley played a larger role in the second season. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

There is money for the teams. Last year there was talk of around 50.000 euros per racing team, the organizer ASO and French television are to receive five times that. "What we get as compensation for expenses is not worth mentioning. But the reach is where we indirectly participate," said Denk. When asked, the streaming giant itself does not publish any figures on the number of hits and thus the success of the series.

Criticism from drivers

The first season focused on Belgian professional cyclist Wout van Aert. He was apparently not happy with his portrayal, and he barely appeared in the second edition of the series. "I understand that it's very entertaining for people, especially outside of cycling," the 29-year-old said recently. "But if you're involved in cycling, you know much better how things really went. Then it's sometimes frustrating that they don't provide enough context for some stories," criticized the nine-time Tour stage winner.

Tom Pidcock was not satisfied with his performance. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

After the release of the second season, the British Ineos team reacted with displeasure. "I was portrayed as the bad guy," Briton Tom Pidcock was quoted as saying by the "Cyclingnews" portal in June. The series suggested tensions between him and teammate Carlos Rodriguez. The Spaniard confirmed the good relationship between the two riders. "I hope this year Netflix is ​​no longer about us," added one-time Tour stage winner Rodriguez.