The 90 hour start has changed its character over the years. When I first rode it was a free for all queue for the start times.
So there was a ritual, starting with the queue for the pre-start meal at 'Les Quadrants', a second queue for the start, which raised anticipation levels, and finally a headlong rush in the dark, with tail lights stretching into the distance.
2011 saw an earlier start, on Sunday, with the same procedure, which meant standing around in sweltering heat.
2015 had the lettered start which LEL had introduced to the GR world. So the queueing was for the meal, which ran out, as the Velodrome had catered for convention attendees, with elaborate finger-food.
The 90 hour start could be fun if you got behind the motorbikes, but that is something that only about the first 50 riders could appreciate. The earlier start time spoils the tail-light display, which was at its best through the Beauce.
It's unclear what the arrangements will be at the National Sheepfold. I'd guess that the 84 hour start will be largely unaffected, while the character of the first 150km of the 90 hours will be different, but we can't know how.
That first 150 km of the 90 hour sticks in the mind more than any other part of the ride, but it's been different in the last three editions.