We’re Binging Netflix’s Tour de France: Unchained and You Should Too
Episode 1. The Grand Départ
Netflix episode summary: with mere days to go, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl announces their lineup and assesses the odds against them. Can Fabio Jakobsen sprint his way to a comeback
Star of the episode: Fabio Jakobsen
Drama score: bridge drama! — 5/10
Action score: stage two starts to bring the action — 5/10
Thoughts and highlights:
This episode sets the stage, overwhelmingly reminding us that this is the biggest bike race in the world, and also a constant circus. When you’re in the Tour de France, you’re in something special, and utterly chaotic.
EF Education EasyPost reminds us that they’re goofy on the outside and serious on the inside. CEO Jonathan Vaughters made it a goal to make anti-doping cool again. But they saw early disappointment with the opening stage double-fall from Stefan Bissegger in rainy conditions.
It’s a bit of a Patrick Lefevere and Fabio Jakobsen show, recounting Jakobsen’s near-death crash in Poland in 2020.
Episode 2. Welcome to Hell
Netflix episode summary: stacked with fierce riders, team Jumbo-Visma takes on the cobblestones — but mechanical challenges and internal competition make for a chaotic stage.
Star of the episode: Wout van Aert
Drama score: Hierarchy! Jonas gets mad at Wout for being a superstar — 6/10
Action score: Bike swaps! Cobblestones! Crashes! — 7/10
Thoughts and highlights:
You’ve got to appreciate that Primož Roglič seems to think the Netflix series is the dumbest thing ever.
We get an in-depth look at the heavy hitters, Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Primož Roglič.
Wout tries to balance his own ambitions with his team’s ambitions.
Episode 3. The Weight of a Nation
Netflix episode summary: a third of the way into the race with no wins for France, Groupama-FDJ and AG2R-Citroën enter the mountain stage with the eyes of a nation upon them.
Star of the episode: Bob Jungels
Drama score: Bob Jungels and Thibaut Pinot showdown— 6/10
Action score: Crashes and bad luck, but team pride — 4/10
Thoughts and highlights:
Spotlight on Thibaut Pinot, the romantic, animal-loving Frenchman, who ends up having a seemingly cursed tour.
Lots of bad luck in the tour for the French teams, overall.
Ben O’ Connor endures injury, rides through the pain, but is thrilled for Bob Jungels
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