Netflix’s Tour de France: Unchained, the series that brought us behind-the-scenes drama, questionable team tactics, and enough lycra to outfit a small nation, is reportedly coming to an end. After three seasons of showcasing the highs, lows, and questionable mid-race snack choices of the men’s Tour de France, the streaming giant has decided to pull the plug.
The third season, set to air in June 2025, will cover the 2024 Tour de France, where Tadej Pogačar reclaimed his crown in a battle that had us all on the edge of our sofas. But after that, it’s curtains for the series. Netflix confirmed the news in a statement that was equal parts diplomatic and deflating: “After three seasons, we are naturally coming to an end of this cycle.” Translation: “The ratings were meh, and this is getting expensive.”
According to Le Parisien, the viewing figures for the most recent season were “judged to be average” and “a little disappointing” in France. Ouch. Apparently, even the French, who invented the Tour de France and presumably have cycling in their DNA, weren’t tuning in as much as Netflix had hoped. Add in the production costs and the hefty fees paid to teams and ASO (the Tour’s organizers), and it’s no wonder Netflix is hitting the brakes.
But let’s not forget the good times. Unchained gave us a glimpse into the chaos of professional cycling, from Jonas Vingegaard’s steely focus to Pogačar’s boyish charm and Wout van Aert’s eternal quest to win everything except the actual Tour. It introduced the sport to a new audience, even if that audience sometimes wondered why everyone was so obsessed with bidons and musettes.
While the men’s series may be ending, there’s a glimmer of hope for cycling fans. Le Parisien reports that Netflix is eyeing the Tour de France Femmes for a potential new series. Given the rising popularity of women’s cycling, this could be a brilliant pivot. Imagine the drama, the rivalries, and the sheer badassery of the women’s peloton, all captured in glorious 4K. It’s a chance to tell fresh stories and shine a light on a side of the sport that deserves even more attention.
So, as we prepare to bid farewell to Tour de France: Unchained, let’s raise a bidon to the series that brought us closer to the chaos, the camaraderie, and the sheer insanity of professional cycling. And who knows? Maybe the next Netflix cycling documentary will be even better. After all, the women’s peloton has been putting on a show for years—it’s about time the world got a front-row seat.
Until then, we’ll always have those iconic shots of Pogačar grinning through the pain and Vingegaard staring into the middle distance like a man who’s just remembered he left the oven on. Au revoir, Unchained. You’ll be missed. But hey, at least we’ll always have the memes.