Thanks guys for taking the time to input. I know I've not kept up enough to say and old guys like me often forget (or choose to remember only the good stuff... lol). it's interesting to compare the many valid arguments from "pro cyclists are fully acclimated to them. Of course, that can encourage riders to take more risks..." to specific awareness just how stiff frames and wheels are, what impact they have and how (possibly unforgiving) direct steering input (better and more immediate tracking) can be under various parameters. Can't remember seeing anyone lose confidence in their equipment to do a safe descent like Wiggins during this yrs Giro. Specifically, I never thought the crash rate to be out of the ordinary during intermediate or mountain stages. The current mass sprint arrivals, specially during the first 3, 4 or 5 flat stages seemed to see daily major crashes. I have to admit, I don't remember if it was that bad, back then...