While I love the high-tech TT equipment, part of me wonders if maybe this isn’t overkill. If one is competing in a sport called “time trial” it makes sense to use specialized equipment. The TDF, though, seems to be a test of overall bicycle racing ability, including peleton tactics, sprints, climbs and time trials. What would the Tour be like if each competitor was required to stick with the same setup for the entire Tour? No changing gearing in the mountains, no entirely different bikes for the time trials, etc. If you want big gears put them on in the beginning. If you want an aero carbon bike, ride it (or one like it if it breaks) the whole race. A whole new level of strategy has been added. Do you optimize equipment for your best skill or your worst? …and a hundred other questions.
I don’t know that I’m advocating something like this, just soliciting opinions.