prendrefeu wrote:I know it's tradition to have the last stage be a 'parade' for the leader, however outside of the final-stage-as-TT with Lemond has there ever been a shuffle of podium spots on the last day? I mean, really: this thread has quite a number of posters who tout the "IT'S A RACE!" byline, so in that case the last stage is still a race. Why not go balls-out and attack when that yellow jersey's team is lining up for their champagne pictures and media? Why not just kill it without mercy, what is there to lose? Tradition? Respect? "IT'S A RACE" right?
Apart from Lemond overtaking Fignon in the TT on the final day of the '89 Tour, Jan Jansens did the same to Herman Van Springel in 1968, overcoming him in the final day TT, though the margin wasn't as close as in '89.
Jean Robic in 1947 attacked the race in the final stage from Caen to Paris. He was third, about three minutes back on the Italian Brambilla at the start of the day. He attacked and Brambilla lost track of him and Robic ended up gaining a 13minute advantage by the end of the stage in Paris and won the yellow jersey.
