<P> In the final stages of the 1987 Tour de France, the lead in the points classification switched between Jean - Paul van Poppel and Stephen Roche . Before the final stage, Roche was leading by 17 points, but during the last stage Van Poppel won back 16 points by intermediate sprints. Van Poppel's ninth place in the stage was then enough to win the points classification by 16 points . </P> <P> In 1991, Djamolidine Abdoujaparov clipped his wheels on barriers . With less than 100m left he tumbled head - over-heels in a spectacular crash . After he regained consciousness, he was helped across the line to clinch the sprinters' competition . </P> <P> In 2001, Stuart O'Grady had been leading the points classification for most of the race, but Erik Zabel overtook him at the final moment . </P> <P> In 2003, the green jersey was settled by a close finish between Baden Cooke and Robbie McEwen finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, this meant that Baden Cooke finished with 216 points to Robbie McEwen's 214 . </P>

Why does no one attack on the last stage of the tour de france