I think the other thing they're not saying is that there are a lot more national champions in the pro peloton these days. 20-30 years ago the only national champs you'd see in the Grand Tours/Monuments would be France, Italy, Spain, Belgium etc. the core European countries. Other countries wouldn't even have enough pro cyclists to have a pro road race Champs."The interest for national championships has been declining, while the interest for global races is increasing. More top-of-the-bill riders will skip the NC to prepare for the TDF. "
Now you have upwards of 50 different nationalities represented in the World Tour. In any given race a quarter of the field might be wearing a country jersey of some description.