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This is more what I mean I think @andyp
With an easier route, there's less chance of absolutely exploding and hurting yourself physically, Pinot put himself in hospital during the Giro, and I can think of more riders "exploding" in the Vuelta and Giro than the Tour.
If he is in a domestique deluxe role too, he won't be needed on the flat days and can role in 20 minutes behind the peloton if needed with much less exertion. In the Vuelta say, it's still a tough day in the saddle just to get to the finish line.
Maybe the easiest way to look at is last years GT's:
Giro x36 DNF
Tour x31 DNF
Vuelta x40 DNF
noBlakes-
Most riders want to finish the Tour, just so they can say they have and will suffer like dogs to make it to Paris. Every year there are tales of the rider who crashed, broke bones and rode on to finish. I don’t think the same happens at the Giro or the Vuelta, unless the rider is a native.
I also think far more riders ride the Vuelta or the Giro as their first GT, and if I had time I’d pull up the stats to prove it.
andyp
what I heard from most pros describing their first TdF while having ridden other GT's: they go a lot faster in the Tour, so while the terrain may look easier, the racing is harder. For GC guys it may be a bit easier, as there are a lot of 'sprint stages'