One thing every person has missed so far is that often the TDF riders are on rather narrow bikes with very little clearance. This helps give an aerodynamic pro

One thing every person has missed so far is that often the TDF riders are on rather narrow bikes with very little clearance. This helps give an aerodynamic profile. Even at a few watts, this is considered worth it. You would likely have to do a lot of research to go with bigger wheels, as that would been wider fork, and thus throw off aerodynamics. A bit daft, in my opinion, given that it's mainly the domestiques who are in the wind and the ones behind, and in the peloton, can be putting out significantly less energy. May even be better for recovery having a bit more comfort on the bike through wider tyres with a bit lower pressure.