Which cycling race is the toughest? Tour, Giro or Vuelta?

[Tumisup]

There is a poll going on about which cycling race is the toughest: https://netivist.org/debate/toughest-cycling-race-tour-giro-or-vuelta

My personal opinion is that Tour de France is always the toughest, not because of the itinerary, but because of the competition. All the best are there. Giro and Vuelta are very difficult races too, but with less top athletes. What do you think?

 

[mpre53]

Originally Posted by Tumisup
There is a poll going on about which cycling race is the toughest: https://netivist.org/debate/toughest-cycling-race-tour-giro-or-vuelta

My personal opinion is that Tour de France is always the toughest, not because of the itinerary, but because of the competition. All the best are there. Giro and Vuelta are very difficult races too, but with less top athletes. What do you think?

You can almost always count on near or sub freezing temps, and either cold rain or snow, on a stage or two in the Giro. That has to suck. Yeah, Spain can get hot in August, but these guys know how to deal with heat. Nothing beats wintery conditions coupled with mountain stages for sheer misery.

As far as all of the best being at Le Tour, it's not always the case. Nibali sat out last year's. Quintana sat out this year's. Wiggins hasn't ridden the last two years. No rider does all three GTs any more. Some only do one. Teams split their contenders. BMC sent Evans to the Giro, and put their Tour eggs in the Van Gardaren basket.