In reply to JLS:
> Split stages used to be quite common in the men’s Tour.
Latterly often a TTT following a short sprint stage
>It was always said the riders hated them hence their demise.
Not sure how big a consideration that is, every rider hates long transfers, is anything being done to reduce them? Sprinters hate short mountain stages, GC riders hate sprint stages with sketchy finishes. Doesn't the comparative lack of ITT miles stem from French riders not being as good as Froome at them. The final Lemond/Fignon ITT would have been far less tense if Fignon hadn't gained a minute or so during the TTT part of the split stage that year.
The really short mountain stage with a grid start didn't work as a spectacle, so hasn't been repeated, but if the split stage in the women's tour is thought to be entertaining I can see it making a return.