To be honest Paris Nice has always been the superior race, with the exception of a few recent additions of Tirreno which were great. And to be fair this route is still better than those really *** years where the TTT was all that decided the race, like 2018
I think it's not helped by a constant identity crisis. Started out as a race for classics riders to prepare for Milano Sanremo, then became hillier but people like Pozzato and Cancellara also won, then about 15 years ago they decided to become the Italian Dauphine, and stuck in one or two big mountain stages a year.
I think since that decision they've struggled to consistently find a balance, and with some exceptions (2013, 2021) it's often slightly flopped. In the early part of the 2010s it ended up overtaking Paris Nice in attracting more of the very best GC riders, now it doesn't, really.
I think it's time for a bit of a re-think from RCS. IMO, it should be working to serve Milano Sanremo and Strade Bianche rather than the Giro. However, I also recognise that GC riders probably bring in more attention and cash, so it might keep being like this.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram