Epic (and why the Giro is cooler then the tour)

Stage 17 of the Giro looks epic .. hell they haven't even finished the "road" yet. This is just another reason to love the Giro more the the TDF ... it just has more, well soul. Its much more italian then the tour is french and the TDF would never risk the leader loosing the race because of a flat on a long unpaved climb (that might be, dare I say it, exciting). I actually think it was better before the protour. Pre-p.t. you would have guys from every little italian team that got a start just KILLING themselves for a win, or even a decent showing. Ya its big for some french guy to win a stage but I have the feeling you were a rock start for life if you were an italian who won a stage of the giro.