The Tour is still vibrating in my bones after that finale up Montmartre and along the Champs-Élysées. Tadej Pogačar joined cycling's most exclusive club — five Tour victories. When his team faltered, he blew our minds on Alpe d'Huez, then moonlighted as a superdomestique. The Americans? Sepp Kuss crashed twice in the closing stretch of the Queen Stage. And Quinn Simmons was named best teammate again. Stay tuned for this week's Spicy Take — it might change how you feel about the Tour de France.

In this episode:

Podium Report: Tadej Pogačar sealed yellow in FAR FROM BORING fashion, finishing 6 minutes clear of the best mountain version of Remco Evenepoel we've ever seen. Isaac del Toro rounded out the podium and nabbed white in his Tour debut. But it was HOW Pogačar did it that had my commentary team debating each other. Here are FIVE THINGS I learned at the Tour.

Americans in the Mix: No American won a stage or cracked the top 10, but Sepp Kuss, Quinn Simmons, Sean Quinn, and Matthew Riccitello shone in their team roles, finishing top 25 overall. Impressive!

Spicy Takes: Three takes with extra 🌶️. The hottest Tour de France ever sparked a safety-vs-TV showdown. A neutralized GC produced the wildest finish of a 21st stage in the 123-year history of the Tour. And Pogačar's Alpe d'Huez masterclass crushed a 31-year-old record, sending UAE's doubters a brutal message.

⏱️ Spotify Chapters

[00:00] – Welcome to VIBE Racing!

[00:30] – Podium Report: Pogačar’ Fifth + FIVE Things I learned at this year’s Tour

[01:02] – Pogacar: Maillot Jaune

[01:24] – Del Toro: Maillot Blanc

[01:57] – Carapaz: Maillot à Pois

[02:26] – Pederson: Maillot Vert

[02:54] – Seixas: He delivered

[03:19] – Americans in the Mix

[03:40] – Quinn Simmons

[04:01] – Sepp Kuss

[04:29] – Sean Quinn

[04:59] – Matthew Riccitello

[05:19] – Brandon McNulty

[05:43] – Matteo Jorgenson

[06:00] – Spicy Takes 🌶️ Safety v TV $$$$

[06:50] – Spicy Takes 🌶️ Stage 21 Fireworks: I was wrong!

[07:36] – Spicy Takes 🌶️ Alpe d’Huez: Best. Climb. Ever?

Got a spicy take of your own? Watch the full breakdown and drop it in the comments on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vibe.racing

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VIBE Racing is the weekly pro cycling show: sharp analysis of the world's biggest races, an unapologetic focus on Americans in the pro peloton, and takes spicy enough to earn the name. Hosted by Dr. Bridie O'Donnell — former cycling pro, Hour Record Holder, and SBS commentator. New episodes every week.

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