Again, you are approaching the Tour as if only the Yellow Jersey mattered. Moreso, you seem to be inclined to think that only the final Yellow Jersey winner matters. You have to look deeper than just what's flowing across the screen. Think about the fact that many of these teams enter the Tour knowing they cannot place a rider on the podium much less win the GC. However, they're there to try and make themselves known. Their entire goal may be to just get in one spectacular ride on one stage. They may wait day after day for that perfect time to put one of their guys out on that long break that will try and hold off the main field for 100 or so miles. To them and to many, that's an accomplishment. This is especially true if it's a solo breakaway. This also makes the sponsors happy as they know the cameras will give them the spotlight. Remember that the Tour de France is really at its roots a three week long rolling advertisement platform. It started out that way and has remained so ever since.