Sorry but I don't get it. These blokes cycle for hundreds of miles so that someone wins by 29 seconds or so! Most of the time they ride along in the peloton as if they are out for a joyride with their mates. Yes they are all very fit but if it wasn't free would people watch it?
It is nothing against the cyclists but it is just too tactical, which is why the winning distance is measured in seconds after a couple of weeks. It would be better if they all cycled as individuals and it was a true race.
Frenchie you could jump in your car and see the lovely scenery without worrying about the cyclists.
The first Tours were individual with stages of over 500 kms! I do agree that it has become very tactical with 4 different jerseys to fight for and nobody taking risks that might jeapordise their positions. Although I am a great fan of the Tour and all the circus that goes with it I prefer the one day classics such as Paris/Roubaix, The Tour de Flandres, Liege Bastogne Liege...No calculations,No hiding in the peloton,just hard cycling and in the end the strongest man wins.
David and Frenchie will kill me for this post but here goes my suggestion.
Tour De London to Brighton.
Starts on Tottenham high road taking in the scenery of an inner city slum.
Then over Southwark bridge to Bermondsey where the cyclists will be spat on by roadside gypsies.
Then off down the A23 to Brighton to swap their tight lycra shorts with the nice guys of Brighton
The hardest endurance sport is cycling. I'll be back later to reply to all those who disagree.