Vuelta vs. the Tour

[OccasionalFlyer]

I keep seeing that the TdF is treated as the best stage race each year. There is no way that the TdF requires as much as the Vuelta a Espana. I remember hearing Phil Liggett commenting on how hard a TdF stage would be because it would have a climb with a 10% gradient. i agree that 10% is challenging, at least it was for me. However, 10% is insignificant compared to several climbs in the Vuelta a Espana this year. So why isn't the hardest stage race more noteworthy?

[Davey Crockett]

Post by OccasionalFlyer
I keep seeing that the TdF is treated as the best stage race each year. There is no way that the TdF requires as much as the Vuelta a Espana. I remember hearing Phil Liggett commenting on how hard a TdF stage would be because it would have a climb with a 10% gradient. i agree that 10% is challenging, at least it was for me. However, 10% is insignificant compared to several climbs in the Vuelta a Espana this year. So why isn't the hardest stage race more noteworthy?

Advertising-Public Expectations, Tradition, Time of Year, Place on
calandar [Vuelta historically ran in April, remember] Travel [kids are
out of school for Tour]

Kindest regard
Davey
http://inconnu.freeshell.org/dailypic/