It's true though no? The tour is going to move more and more towards short stages and people will miss the cut. So why train hard to come and run the risk. Two huge name sprinters out today, is nothing short of terrible for the race. Yes neither had won a stage - or been near - but both have animated the race in previous years and are a loss.
It's a test of endurance as well as sprinting skills. Cavendish clearly didn't have the form to survive the Tour, he finished over 30 minutes outside the time limit, his exclusion is completely justified, irrespective of his past achievements.
It's true though no? The tour is going to move more and more towards short stages and people will miss the cut. So why train hard to come and run the risk. Two huge name sprinters out today, is nothing short of terrible for the race. Yes neither had won a stage - or been near - but both have animated the race in previous years and are a loss.