Another factor which might play into how some of the races are perceived are their long term implications.
The 2011 Tour is also the likely catalyst for the infatuation with short mountain stages that has characterised much of the decade, sometimes effectively and sometimes really ineffectively, as well as inspiring a lot of over the top backloading of routes which has created some dull GTs in races not as well raced toward the end than the 2011 Tour was.
Likewise, the 2012 Vuelta featured one of the worst GT routes ever devised, but because of catching lightning in a bottle regarding outside factors (Contador's ban terms, the Tour being heavily TT-biased meaning Rodríguez did the Giro-Vuelta that year, Valverde's mistimed Tour peak, Froome's unfinished business from the year before) meant that the race itself was better than it had any right to be, plus the fact that only the last 90 minutes or so of each stage was broadcast meant the "all MTFs all the time" approach wasn't seen as a problem (even though they missed the most important attack of the entire race as a result). However, the 2012 Vuelta being a success has fundamentally changed the way the Vuelta is drawn up and the way it is raced for the rest of the decade, which may play a role in how it is seen.
Heal: 2010 Tour
Hurt: 2015 Tour
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