I saw this video in my feed and had to take a look. We LOVE Snow Tails which is also a card driven race game and wondered how Flamme Rouge compared. I'll have to download the rules but I think one could use the slipstream mechanic in Snow Tails. I have a second copy so that should work. I was on the fence buying this but now I will have to hunt down a copy or two. I love this series of videos! Thanks for posting.

Downforce at less than full player count has players potentially controlling multiple cars. It increases your chances of winning the race but also docks you more for the auction prices.

I really enjoy Flamme Rouge. My favorite mechanism of the game is that the deck itself is non-renewing. So I think of it less a mini-deckbuilder but rather a pool of energy that depletes itself through the course of the race. And while seen cards go back into the deck, they are only played once. The only additions to one's hand are the exhaustion cards. To me, the mechanism is so enjoyable because it fits thematically, what can the cyclist tap into in terms of energy and when? It's a great game and I enjoy the difficult AI teams as well as the Grand Tour options.

Try Thunder Alley by GMT. You are controlling a team of cars with a limited set of cards per turn. Lots of strategy, plus you move other cars as well

Um reifenbreite is a similar race game which you control 4 riders not 2. To me um reifenbreite is a bit more strategic where you can use another players full movement if you are directly behind them. Both great racing game nonetheless!

Um Reifenbreite gives you 4 cyclists to play, it has cards and dice as the driver for moment, and and interesting drafting mechanism.

I love how not only is it a constant battle against your opponents but it's also a battle against yourself. Go too fast and get penalised, go too slow and get penalised. You have to find the perfect balance but that is only accomplished if your opponents take a similar approach. It's great because it never allows players to just run away with things. I mean they might do in the early stages but that guarantees that they'll become exhausted and allow players to catch up. It means that everybody has a chance at winning at any given moment and keeps everyone 100% interested throughout

Tour de France starting tomorrow, coincidence? I think not!

It's such a good fun light game. Instead of it being a deck builder, it's the opposite...deck destroyer game? Love the little french cyclist minis too.

I just picked this one up! So excited to try it! I’m curious, on Downforce, do you find an issue with whoever gets out front early, almost always wins? It seems like that in almost all of the times I’ve played.

If you like the controlling multiple racers aspect, I’d looking into 2-player Quest for El Dorado. I find it far more tactical than 3 or 4p.

I didn't think of that strategy of slipstreaming oneself (if one has the right cards).