I really don't know what you expect these other riders to do. Basso is no quitter. He tried and tried, but Lance is a better TDF rider than Basso, or anyone else. Remember this is a bike race. When a rider attacks, and Lance closes the gap what more can he do? Short of the pump in the spokes trick he is out of options, and it does not mean that he is a quitter.
I really don't understand calling all of the big GC contenders quitters. They have done all they can, and Lance still has a commanding lead. Maybe they are realist.
Richard