Maybe that's where grand tours are heading, with more short and punchy stages and focus on the GC racing it could be that being a pure sprinter becomes a thing of the past.
What used to be guaranteed transition or sprint stages are now becoming days for the GC battles so the chances for the likes of Bennet, Viviani, Ewan etc are getting less and hence the pressure on them to deliver is ramping up when they do get an opportunity.
Maybe we should have an easier first week so the sprinters can duke it out and then let them worry about getting to Paris for the showpiece?
Maybe also make the 3k marker into a 5k one too if it looks like a bunch sprint is on the cards so that there isn't the mad rush for the GC guys to get into position to secure their time.
There's a lot that can be done to make those last few metres safer I reckon.