I'm not sure why either but I read on active.com that it was because of "geographical constraints" of the route. It's a shame because it's a beautiful site to see a team riding in unison. Discovery was super organized and it was art to watch them ride. Dare I ask...who will be the successor?!?! It's going to be an amazing TdF. I love Lance and his 7 victories are simply amazing but I am very very very excited to see the tactics of the peleton as they vie for a new patron.