I think this need to be heavier to go well on cobbles/gravel is outdated nonsense based on reinforcement of preconceptions as largely only those heavier riders focus on the cobbles so it becomes viewed that they are the best suited to them.
You only have to look at the gravel stage and ignore Pogacar because he is an exceptional outlier in all areas and look at the flyweight Vingegaard who was easily among the 10 strongest in the race that day on the sectors.
On a super aggressively raced Strade Bianchi with Pogi lighting it up on the Santa Maria climb I would genuinely give Jonas a bigger chance of staying close to him than Van Aert nowadays.
You only have to look at the gravel stage and ignore Pogacar because he is an exceptional outlier in all areas and look at the flyweight Vingegaard who was easily among the 10 strongest in the race that day on the sectors.
On a super aggressively raced Strade Bianchi with Pogi lighting it up on the Santa Maria climb I would genuinely give Jonas a bigger chance of staying close to him than Van Aert nowadays.