Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
You know that they had time splits on Merckx back in 1969. They just got them from chalkboards and visits to the team cars, not from earpieces.
I think riders riding in a much more calculated defensive styles, and not having the cajones and ability of Merckx makes the race less exiting.
With the exception of Landis' stage 17 ride in 2006, we haven't seen that kind of move by a GC contender since Merckx.
Better training, nutrition and technology have made the riders more even. Pros don't have to race nonstop all season to make a decent living so they are in great shape for the races they enter. Racers recover from crashes a lot better nowadays, too.