I just through that out-checking TT times- but the more I think about it the less telling. Shorter stages in general- key riders are more protected- racing less- stronger teams=less long range attacks, no more 70+ KM TTs, weather conditions etc...
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour04.php?id=results/history/tdfhistory
Tours tended to average ~ 4,000 Km now tend to run 3,400-3,600
this year 3391
last year 3276
I think it is a complicated answer as why the average tour speed has increased.
My own answer would be multifactorial
with all of the following with the order somewhat random
1 Organized sprinter teams
2 more rested riders less racing, shorter races.
3 stronger depth of teams- in past you would see breakaways of key riders and everyone went siesta
4 improved training-now whole teams train together instead of racing
5 Drugs I think have played a part maybe less so now than in the early 90s when Hematocrits roumered to be > 50%
6 The Tour has become the focus of everyone. Everyone peaks for it - sprinters climbers, the lesser jerseys are hotly contested etc.
Very similar to Wingnutt
I don't think one single thing explains it all.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour04.php?id=results/history/tdfhistory
Tours tended to average ~ 4,000 Km now tend to run 3,400-3,600
this year 3391
last year 3276
I think it is a complicated answer as why the average tour speed has increased.
My own answer would be multifactorial
with all of the following with the order somewhat random
1 Organized sprinter teams
2 more rested riders less racing, shorter races.
3 stronger depth of teams- in past you would see breakaways of key riders and everyone went siesta
4 improved training-now whole teams train together instead of racing
5 Drugs I think have played a part maybe less so now than in the early 90s when Hematocrits roumered to be > 50%
6 The Tour has become the focus of everyone. Everyone peaks for it - sprinters climbers, the lesser jerseys are hotly contested etc.
Very similar to Wingnutt
I don't think one single thing explains it all.