Tour De France Jerseys

The Tour de France is the most prestigious cycling race in the world. Riders who are leading in the Tour de France are assigned special jerseys and other awards to denote their status to the spectators. The popularity of this practice led other races to adopt similar procedures, and they have since become standard in the cycling world. The standard status jerseys are yellow, green, white, and polka-dot, but other colors have been used historically.

Current Tour de France Winning Jerseys

The yellow jersey, known as the maillot jaune in French, is worn by the general leader of the race. In 1924, Italian rider Ottavio Bottecchia became the first rider to wear the yellow jersey for the entire race. After each stage of the race, the jersey is awarded to the person who is at the top of the overall classification, and he is able to wear it during the race the next day.

The green jersey, called the maillot vert in French, is awarded for sprint points. Points are awarded at the end of each stage, and go to the riders in order of finish. This means that the first place finisher gets more points than second, second place gets more points than third, and so on. In addition, different points are available for different stages of the race. Since sprinting is more likely to take place along the flatter stages of the Tour de France, those sections earn the riders the most sprint points. Fewer sprint points are earned for medium-mountain stages, and even less for high-mountain and time trials stages. The points competition was added to the race in 1953, marking the 50^th anniversary of the race.

Another jersey that designates leadership in the Tour de France is the "King of the Mountains" jersey, or KOM. It is a white jersey with large red polka dots on it, and is called the maillot a pois rouges in French. It is awarded to the best climber in the race. Recognizing the best climber began in 1933 and the jersey was added in 1975. Points are awarded according to the category of the climb. Climbs are currently rated into five categories, which are called HC, Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, and Category 4.

Other Tour de France Awards

The Tour de France recognizes several other accomplishments. A white jersey, or maillot blanc, is given to the rider that is considered to be the best new rider in cycling. They must be under the age of twenty-five on the first of the year in which the race is held. Recognition is also given to the most combative or aggressive rider of the day. This is generally the person who tried the hardest to get away from the group and forge ahead. The next day, they get to wear their number printed white on red, instead of the traditional black on white. This award has been given annually since 1981. A team prize is awarded in the same manner. It is figured by adding the times of each of the top three riders for each team. The winning team wears their numbers printed black on yellow instead of black on white.

Historical Tour de France Jerseys

Historically, a red jersey was awarded to the first three riders who won the most intermediate sprints. Another was given to the highest point winner across all of the stages. This jersey was multi-colored. Both of these jerseys had a short life span, and were abolished in the same year, which was 1989.

Now that you are an expert in the different jerseys that are awarded in the Tour de France, you can enjoy the race and appreciate the cyclist's accomplishments a little more.