Tour de France Tour de France 2023, stage 13: Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Grand Colombier, 137.8k

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Riders aren't going to stand for long stages anymore (within reason).
They have more power than they used to and know how to use it.
They can complain in the press, they can race negatively. We see at the Giro how well it works.

And honestly, while i would like long stages raced hard, its just not gonna happen anymore, the sport has progressed beyond that from the riders perspective.
 
Riders aren't going to stand for long stages anymore (within reason).
They have more power than they used to and know how to use it.
They can complain in the press, they can race negatively. We see at the Giro how well it works.

And honestly, while i would like long stages raced hard, its just not gonna happen anymore, the sport has progressed beyond that from the riders perspective.
It’s also more entertaining honestly, short stages that is
 
I don't have the time to elaborate now. But I think it's quite evident that there is a correlation between shorter stages and exciting racing. Denying that is just being contrarian.

It depends on the route design though.

A stage like today would never be exiting until the climb, irrespective of whether they rode 20, 120 or 220 K ahead of the climb.