tour de france jerseys explained polka dot

Tour de France jerseys: Yellow, green, white and polka dot explained

We explain what the yellow, green, polka dot and white jerseys worn by riders in the Tour de France represent

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• Yellow jersey
• Green jersey
• Polka dot jersey
• White jersey
• Other classifications

The Tour de France sees the very best cyclists in the world battle it out for the yellow, green, white and polka dot jerseys, based on the general, points, mountains and young rider classifications. 

The jersey for each category is awarded to the leader of that classification at the end of every stage, and the recipient earns the right to wear it during the following day's racing. When a rider has the lead in multiple classifications, the yellow jersey is prioritised, then green, the polka dot, and white - the next person on the ranking wears the kit in the leader's stead.

Here we take a brief look at what they are and how they are won. 

Tour de France yellow jersey - GC leader

Also called the maillot jaune , the Tour de France yellow jersey is the most coveted piece of kit in professional cycling. The wearer is the rider who has completed the race in the least amount of time, and as such tops the overall or general classification (GC) of the race.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) dominated the GC in 2020 and 2021, wearing the yellow jersey almost throughout the 2021 edition, before Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) took it off him halfway through the 2022 race, wearing it until the end of the race.

Before that, in 2012, Bradley Wiggins became the first British rider to finish in Paris in the Yellow Jersey - with Chris Froome following up in 2013, 2015-2017. Geraint Thomas took the 2018 race, becoming the third British rider to win the race.

The yellow jersey is sponsored by LCL, a French bank, and it is yellow, because the Tour's original organiser, L'Auto , was a newspaper printed on yellow paper. 

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A time bonus of 10, six and four seconds will be awarded to the first three riders across the finish line each day (not including TTs). These bonus seconds are taken off their stage and therefore overall time. Bonus seconds of eight, five and two seconds are also awarded on certain, strategically placed climbs on stages one, two, five, 12, 14 and 17.

Last 10 winners of the Tour de France general classification:

• 2013: Chris Froome 
• 2014: Vincenzo Nibali 
• 2015: Chris Froome
• 2016: Chris Froome
• 2017: Chris Froome
• 2018: Geraint Thomas
• 2019: Egan Bernal
• 2020: Tadej Pogačar
• 2021: Tadej Pogačar
• 2022: Jonas Vinegaard

Tour de France green jersey - points classification

The green jersey relates to points awarded to riders according to the position they finish on each stage, with additional points for intermediate sprints during some stages also on offer.

The number of points on offer will vary depending upon the type of stage. More are on offer during pure flat, sprint days, while on hilly and mountain stages there are fewer points available. The points are then tallied up after each stage and added to points won in all previous stages. The green jersey ( maillot vert) is awarded to the rider with the most points. Sometimes it is a sprinter's game, sometimes more of an all-rounder - like Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).

The jersey took its colour because the initial sponsor was a lawn mower manufacturer - though the colour was changed once in 1968 to accommodate a sponsor. It is now sponsored by Škoda, and has a new shade for this year .

Both Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault successfully won both the general classification and the points classification with Merckx achieving the biggest sweep in 1969 with the points, mountain and general classifications to his name. Over the last ten years, Peter Sagan has triumphed in the points classification on no less than seven occasions. 

The following points are on offer:

Flat stage (stages 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 18, 19, 21): 50, 30, 20 points (descending to 15th place) 

Hilly stage (stages 1, 9, 10, 12, 13): 30, 25, 22 points (descending to 15th place)

Mountain stage and ITTs (5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20): 20, 17, 15, (descending to 15th place)

Intermediate sprint: 20, 17, 15, (descending to 15th place)

Last 10 winners of the Tour de France points classification:

• 2013:  Peter Sagan
• 2014: Peter Sagan
• 2015: Peter Sagan
• 2016: Peter Sagan
• 2017: Michael Matthews
• 2018: Peter Sagan
• 2019: Peter Sagan
• 2020: Sam Bennett
• 2021: Mark Cavendish
• 2022: Wout van Aert

Tour de France jerseys: Polka dot - King of the Mountains classification leader

Tour de france polka dot jersey - mountains classification.

Mountains points are awarded to riders who manage to summit classified climbs first. Points vary depending on the category of each ascent, with more difficult climbs awarding more mountains points.  

Climbs are divided into five categories: 1 (most difficult) to 4 (least difficult) - then there's the ' Hors Categorie ', denoted by HC which represents the most challenging of ascents. The tougher the category, the more points on offer, and to more riders - a HC climb will see points awarded down to the first eight over the summit, while a fourth category climb results in points for just the first rider over the top.

The organisers decide which mountains or climbs will be included in the competition, and which category they fall into. If the stage features a summit finish, the points for the climb are doubled.

The points are tallied up after each stage and added to points won in all previous stages. The distinctive white-with-red-dots jersey ( maillot à pois rouges ) is given to the rider with the most mountains points. The first climber's award was given out in 1933, and the jersey arrived on the scene in 1975. It is now sponsored by Leclerc, a supermarket.

Points awarded as follows:

HC: 20, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2pts  

1st cat: 10, 8, 6, 7, 5, 1pt 

2nd cat: Five, three, two.

3rd cat: Two and one points 

4th cat: One point 

The souvenir Henri Desgrange is awarded to the first rider over the race’s highest point, the Col de Loze, on stage 17. The souvenir Jacques Goddet to the first rider over the Col du Tourmalet on stage 16. 

Last 10 winners of the Tour de France mountains classification:

• 2013:  Nairo Quintana
• 2014:  Rafał Majka
• 2015:  Chris Froome
• 2016: Rafał Majka
• 2017: Warren Barguil
• 2018: Julian Alaphilippe
• 2019: Romain Bardet

Tour de France white jersey - best young rider

The plain white, young rider classification jersey is awarded to the fastest rider born after 1 January 1998, meaning 25 or under. It is sponsored by Krys, an opticians

First introduced in 1975, riders such as Marco Pantani, Alberto Contador, Egan Bernal and Tadej Pogačar have all won the young rider classification, helping propel them onto bigger and better things during their careers.

Last 10 winners of the Tour de France young rider classification:

• 2014:  Thibaut Pinot
• 2015: Nairo Quintana
• 2016:  Adam Yates
• 2017: Simon Yates
• 2018: Pierre Latour
• 2022: Tadej Pogačar

Other Tour de France classifications - team and combativity

There are two further classifications that do not earn the winner(s) a coloured jersey - the most aggressive rider award and Team Classification .

While not necessarily a classification, the Combativity Award is given to the rider who has shown the most fighting spirit during each individual stage, as chosen by the race jury. They will wear a gold race number during the following day's stage. A 'Super Combativity' award is handed out on the final stage for the most aggressive rider during the whole race.

The Team Classification is based on the collective time of the three highest-placed riders from each squad. Leaders of the team classification get to wear race numbers that are yellow with black digits, and the right to wear yellow helmets. The latter is not compulsory.

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Adam is Cycling Weekly ’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling on tarmac, he's happy. Before joining Cycling Weekly he spent two years writing for Procycling, where he interviewed riders and wrote about racing. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds. Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to cycling.

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POLKA DOT JERSEY

Symbol of the mountains, of a rider pushing beyond their limits and of courage, the red polka dot jersey , which is sponsored by E.Leclerc, is awarded to the Tour de France’s leader of the best climber classification. Although this classification was introduced in 1933, its symbol, the polka dot jersey, appeared in 1975, which was also the year the Tour first finished on the Champs-Élysées and was won by Bernard Thévenet. It owes its appearance to track racing specialist Henri Lemoine, who competed between the 1930s and 1950s, and that Félix Lévitan, co-director of the Tour with Jacques Goddetwhich, had particularly noticed. While Belgium’s Lucien Van Impe was its first winner and claimed the mountains classification six times, just like his illustrious predecessor, Spain’s Federico Bahamontes, the so-called “Eagle of Toledo”, Frenchman Richard Virenque holds the record for victories with seven titles.

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What do the Tour de France leaders jerseys mean? Yellow, green, polka dot and white jerseys explained

How to win the Tour de France general, sprint, mountains and youth classifications

POOL LEQUIPPE/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

Colin Henrys

To a first-time viewer, the Tour de France can be a minefield. The winner is not simply decided by which rider crosses the finish line first in Paris.

How can a rider win multiple stages and not wear the yellow jersey? What is that polka dot jersey about? And what's with all the jargon they use?

Here’s our full guide to how the Tour de France is won: the classifications, the jerseys and the previous winners.

Tour de France classifications explained – what do the different jersey colours mean?

The Tour de France consists of four classifications that individual riders can win. The different classifications are signified by coloured cycling jerseys :

• The general classification (GC) – yellow jersey
• Mountains classification – polka dot jersey
• Points classification – green jersey
• Young rider classification – white jersey

The leader of each classification at the end of each stage wears the jersey on the following day.

If they continue to lead, they continue to wear the jersey until someone knocks them from the top of the classification. The leader of the classification at the end of the race is the overall winner of that particular classification.

There is also a team classification, but no coloured jersey is awarded for this.

What is the Tour de France general classification (GC)?

The general classification is the oldest and most coveted classification in the Tour de France, and is led by the rider with the shortest cumulative time.

Each rider’s time is recorded on every stage and the GC ranks the entire field. The leader of the general classification after the final stage in Paris is the overall winner of the Tour de France.

Tour de France yellow jersey explained

The GC comes with the coveted yellow jersey – or maillot jaune in French – which is worn by the leader of the classification until their overall cumulative time is bettered by another rider at the end of a stage.

The yellow jersey then passes on to the new leader of the GC, and so on.

Previous Tour de France winners

Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo-Visma) won his first Tour de France in 2022, beating Tadej Pogačar (Team UAE Emirates), winner of the previous two editions of the Tour de France.

Egan Bernal's success in 2019 marked Team Ineos-Grenadiers' (formerly Team Sky) seventh Tour de France title in eight years.

Geraint Thomas won in 2018 and Chris Froome claimed four editions before that, after Bradley Wiggins had set the ball rolling in 2012.

Since the beginning of the Tour, four riders have won the general classification five times: Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

Meanwhile, Fabian Cancellara is the rider who has worn the yellow jersey for the most days without ever winning the Tour (29).

Julian Alaphilippe held the jersey for 14 days in 2019, but fell away in the general classification in the final few stages.

Tour de France mountains classification

What is the mountains classification.

The mountains classification was introduced in 1933 as a secondary competition within the Tour de France.

The first riders to reach the top of categorised climbs in the Tour are awarded a certain number of points according to their position across the summit.

The climbs are categorised by a number, from 1 (difficult) to 4 (least difficult) based on factors such as the climb’s length and gradient.

Climbs that are more difficult than category 1 are called h ors catégorie – "a class of their own" in French.

Hors catégorie climbs carry the most points. Summit finishes – stages that finish atop a climb – and category 1 climbs are the next most lucrative followed by category 2 and so on.

The first rider to reach the Col de la Loze, the highest peak of the 2023 Tour de France, on stage 17 will earn double points.

The rider with the highest cumulative points total leads the mountains classification and wears the polka dot jersey. The exception is if they are also leading another classification, such as the general. In that case, the second rider in the rankings wears the jersey.

At the end of the Tour, the overall winner of the classification is the King of the Mountains.

Tour de France polka dot jersey explained

The mountains classification is signified by a white jersey with red polka dots (known as the polka dot jersey or maillot à pois ).

Vicente Trueba was the first winner of the King of the Mountains competition in 1933. The polka dot design wasn't introduced until 1975 when Bernard Thévenet won the classification.

Previous Tour de France mountains classification winners

Jonas Vingegaard added the King of the Mountains jersey to his maillot jaune in 2022.

Tadej Pogačar took the mountains classification in 2021 and 2020, following Romain Bardet in 2019 and Julian Alaphilippe in 2018.

Another Frenchman, Richard Virenque, won the title seven times in his career between 1994 and 2004, while both Federico Bahamontes and Lucien Van Impe have won it six times, from 1954 to 1964 and 1971 to 1983 respectively.

Eight cyclists have now won the mountains classification and general classification in the same year:

• Gino Bartali
• Sylvère Maes
• Fausto Coppi
• Federico Bahamontes
• Eddy Merckx
• Carlos Sastre
• Chris Froome

Pogačar, Bartali, Coppi and Merckx have all done it twice.

Tour de France points classification

What is the points classification.

The points classification was introduced in 1953 as an incentive for sprinters, with Fritz Schär being the first rider to win it.

The first 15 riders to complete each stage are awarded points, with the most points going to the first rider and the following 14 receiving successively fewer points.

More points are on offer for flat stages, again as an incentive to the sprinters. Riders can also gain points by winning intermediate sprints (sprints that take place at designated points part-way through a stage).

Tour de France green jersey explained

The leader of the points classification is indicated by a green jersey ( maillot vert ). Green matched the logo of the first jersey sponsor, La Belle Jardinière clothing store.

The overall prize is awarded to the rider with the most points at the end of the Tour.

Previous Tour de France points classification winners

The green jersey went to Wout van Aert in 2022 and Mark Cavendish in 2021.

In previous years the award had become synonymous with one man: Slovakian superstar Peter Sagan. He claimed the prize for a record-breaking seventh time in 2019.

Tour de France young rider classification

What is the young rider classification.

The young rider classification was introduced to the Tour in 1975. Classics great Francesco Moser was its first winner.

This year it applies only to cyclists born on or after January 1, 1998 (under the age of 26).

Just like the general classification, it’s calculated using each rider's cumulative overall time but is aimed at rewarding young riders in the early stages of their careers.

Tour de France white jersey explained

The youth classification is signified by a white jersey, and much in the same way as the other categories, the rider currently topping the classification wears it until someone else overtakes their lead.

Previous Tour de France young rider classification winners

Beaten into second in the GC, Tadej Pogačar was still the fastest young rider in 2022.

The Slovenian had become the sixth man to win both the white and yellow jersey in the same year when he rode to victory at the 2020 Tour de France, joining Egan Bernal (2019), Laurent Fignon (1983), Jan Ullrich (1997), Alberto Contador (2007) and Andy Schleck (2010). He then repeated the feat in 2021.

Pierre Latour won the young rider classification in 2018, while British twins Adam and Simon Yates were triumphant in the previous two years.

What is the Tour de France team classification?

The team classification has been part of the Tour de France since 1930 but awards no coloured jersey. Instead, the team is given race numbers with a yellow background, rather than white.

It’s not considered to be as important as the individual classifications. Teams don’t normally set out with an ambition to win it. But they may change their tactics during the race if they are in a good position to do so.

The team classification takes the time of each squad's top three finishers on every stage. The team with the lowest cumulative time leads the classification.

Previous Tour de France team classification winners

Movistar Team has dominated the classification in recent years, topping the team rankings in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. This is despite none of its riders winning the Tour in those years.

Generally, the team with the rider leading the Tour will be more inclined to sacrifice teammates to protect the individual's lead, making winning both the individual and team classification – as Team Sky did in 2017 – a rare feat.

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Here’s Exactly What the Tour de France Jersey Colors Mean

The story behind the yellow, green, polka dot, and white shirts.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what each Tour de France jersey color means:

Yellow Jersey

For most, the race’s fabled yellow jersey, or maillot jaune, stands above all else, as it designates the rider who leads the General Classification . After each stage, officials calculate who has the fastest time across the entire race and the jersey then goes to the overall leader. That rider wears it in the following stage. Because it’s based on time and not points, the yellow doesn’t necessarily go to the given day’s stage winner, but rather the leader overall.

Contenders for the yellow jersey—and, therefore, the overall Tour de France title—are well-rounded cyclists and smart tacticians with skills in both climbing and time trialling. They must also show enough strength to hold the pace of the peloton, especially as rival teams work together to drop the leader at every possible opportunity.

Here's how the Tour’s yellow jersey gets made during the race:

Green Jersey

While known as the “sprinter’s jersey,” the green jersey goes to the leader of the Points Classification . The amount of points given depends on the stage profile—whether it’s flat or mountainous, for example. Typically, the winners are the first 10 to 25 riders who cross a stage finish, because the most points are traditionally gained at the end of the flatter stages (where the sprinters shine).

Ultimately, the green goes to a well-rounded and consistent rider, as well as to those who show tremendous persistence, picking up points where they can.

Red Polka Dot Jersey

The polka dot jersey goes to the leader of the Mountains Classification , otherwise known as King of the Mountains. Points in this contest are awarded to the first riders who reach the summit of designated climbs on each stage.

Tour de France climbs are ranked from category 1 (most difficult) to category 4 (least difficult). A fifth class, hors catégorie (“beyond category”), is reserved for the most challenging ascents. The amount of points awarded depends on the difficulty of each climb, though sometimes shorter or milder climbs will join a higher category if they come at the end of a stage.

Of course, the rider in polka dots must be a strong climber. Often, it goes to small, lightweight guys with very high power outputs . The KoM competition comes into its own once the race heads into the mountain stages, where most points are available.

White Jersey

The white jersey, or maillot blanc , goes to the General Classification leader who is 25 years old or younger (on January 1 in the given race year). Put simply, it goes to the best young rider with the lowest overall time. For young, ambitious all-rounders in the race, winning the white jersey is like winning yellow.

Other Awards

Two other classifications exist that are not awarded with a special jersey: the Combativity Award and the Team Classification.

Although largely a token prize, Combativity Award winners still get a podium appearance when the race wraps up in Paris. After every stage, excluding time trials, a panel decides the day’s most aggressive rider. Not necessarily the stage winner, it could be someone who has consistently attacked, instigated a breakaway , or been a key player in the stage outcome. This rider then wears a red race number (instead of black) in the following day’s stage. A Super Combativity Award is given on the final stage for the most aggressive rider throughout the entire Tour.

The Team Classification is based on the collective time of the three highest-placed riders in the General Classification from each team. The best team then wears its race numbers against a yellow background, rather than a conventional white background, and also has the option of wearing yellow helmets.

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Tour de France primer: What is the polka-dot jersey?

Learn all about the Tour de France’s King of the Mountains competition

July 3, 2023

Neilson Powless is leading the Tour de France’s King of the Mountains classification.

That is why he is wearing the polka dot jersey.

How does the competition work?

Riders race for points at the tops of mountains on the course. Climbs in the Tour de France are ranked according to their difficulty, from fourth category through to first, with the hors catégorie —beyond category—designation reserved for the hardest, most prestigious ascents. King of the Mountains points are awarded in accordance with this classification. The harder the climb, the more points the first riders to cross its summit can earn.

During the race, the rider who has accumulated the most points so far in this contest wears the polka dot jersey. To win it by the end of the Tour in Paris, a rider needs to be more than just a great climber though. Competing for King of the Mountains points requires a great deal of calculation. Do they go in an early breakaway and try to earn points on the first climbs in a stage? Or do they wait till later, when the breakaway is likely to be caught, and go for the later ascents, where they may have to climb against the riders who are racing for the yellow jersey? Every day, contenders for the climbers’ competition have to study the race map and make such decisions, always keeping in mind that the Tour de France is a three-week event. Every point counts, but if they race up every hill, they might not have the strength they will need for the biggest alpine passes, where they could earn the most points. To be crowned King of the Mountains in Paris, a climber needs to race smart.

Neilson isn’t sure what the rest of the Tour holds for him, but he sure likes his King of the Mountains shirt.

“It’s very nice to be in the lead,” Neilson says. “I’m already in love with this polka-dot jersey. I fell immediately in love with it. Let’s see how long I can wear it. It’s still a narrow lead - if I miss one break in the mountains it will be gone, and we are still a long way from reaching Paris. ”

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Featured event, more from tour de france, neilson powless.

When Neilson Powless started racing X-Terra triathlons with his sister back home in Northern California, he just wanted to spend time outside and rip around the trails near his house. His first love was mountain-biking. It was his best discipline in those off-road triathlons, and when he got to high-school, there were all sorts of chances for him to compete in California’s mountain-bike league. Soon, he was travelling with the US national team, racing junior world cups and championships against the world’s most talented mountain-bikers. Race in and race out, Neilson proved he was one of them.

Then he decided he wanted to have a go on the road.

Neilson has progressed steadily since he turned pro in 2018, thanks to his hard-work and diligent approach to training. In 2020, Neilson Powless became the first tribally recognized Native North American to race the Tour de France. The next year, our rising American star won Spain’s greatest one-day race, the Clásica San Sebastián, and finished fifth at the world championships in Belgium. Neilson was stellar in 2022. After a strong campaign in the Ardennes, he finished fourth on GC at the Tour de Suisse and lit up the Tour de France. He finished the year off with a victory at the Japan Cup .

The 2023 season was his best yet. Neilson won his first race of the year: the Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille. He then won the overall at Étoile de Bèsseges and stormed the Flemish classics, finishing third at Dwars door Vlaanderen and fifth at De Ronde in his debut campaign on the cobbles. At the Tour, he captured hearts with a stellar run in the King of the Mountains jersey.

Neilson lives in Nice, France with his wife and baby girl during the racing season. He enjoys exploring their new city and relaxing on the beach after hard rides through the Alps.

If he can find time in his schedule, Neilson would like to get back to his roots, and do some off-road alternative racing in 2024.

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The Ultimate Guide to the Iconic Jerseys of Tour de France

Mathew Mitchell

• Published on June 29, 2023
• in Men's Cycling

Step into the world of Tour de France and be mesmerised by the kaleidoscope of colours and symbolism that grace the iconic jerseys worn by the pro peloton. In this ultimate guide, we take you on a journey through the rich history and captivating stories behind these renowned garments. From the infamous yellow jersey that symbolises the leader of the race, to the polka dot jersey representing the best climber, each jersey carries its own unique narrative.

Table of Contents

Discover the secrets behind the green jersey, awarded to the best sprinter, and the white jersey, honouring the best young rider. Unveiling the intricate details and design choices, we delve into the significance of every stripe, dot, and patch. Whether you’re a fan of cycling or simply intrigued by the world of sports fashion, this guide will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the artistry and symbolism woven into the fabric of the Tour de France jerseys. So gear up and embark on this captivating journey through the vibrant world of cycling attire.

The yellow jersey: Maillot Jaune – The leader’s jersey

The yellow jersey , or Maillot Jaune, is undoubtedly the most iconic and coveted jersey in the Tour de France. Worn by the overall leader of the race, it signifies their dominance and command over the peloton. The history of the yellow jersey dates back to 1919 when it was introduced as a way to easily identify the race leader. The colour yellow was chosen due to its close association with the yellow paper used by the organising newspaper, L’Auto, which later on became L’Équipe.

The yellow jersey is not just a symbol of leadership; it also represents the determination, endurance, and sheer willpower required to succeed in the gruelling race. The jersey’s design has evolved over the years, but its distinctive yellow hue remains a constant. From the classic golden shade to the vibrant lemon yellow, each iteration of the jersey has left an indelible mark on the history of the Tour de France. Similar to the All Blacks in rugby, a simple jersey has come to represent something much bigger.

The yellow jersey is not only a badge of honour but also a target for other competitors. Riders will fight tooth and nail to seize the coveted jersey, resulting in intense battles throughout the race. It is this relentless pursuit of the yellow jersey that adds an extra layer of excitement to the Tour de France, making it one of the most anticipated and thrilling sporting events in the world.

The green jersey: Maillot Vert – The sprinter’s jersey

While the yellow jersey represents the overall leader, the green jersey, or Maillot Vert, is awarded to the best sprinter in the Tour de France. This jersey recognises the riders who excel in the flat stages and possess exceptional speed and strength. It’s not just about flat stages though, increasingly the winner has had to do well on hills. The green jersey was first introduced in 1953 to add another dimension to the race and reward the sprinters for their unique skills.

The green jersey stands out from the crowd with its vibrant shade of green, often referred to as “sprinters’ green.” The colour was chosen to symbolise the lushness and energy associated with sprinting. The design of the jersey features various sponsors’ logos, contributing to its dynamic and eye-catching appearance. Fans of a certain age will remember PMU’s logos on it but for the 2023 Tour de France, Skoda will have their logo on the green jersey.

Winning the green jersey requires consistent performance across the flat stages, where the sprinters have the opportunity to showcase their explosive power. Points are awarded at intermediate sprints and the finish line, with the rider amassing the most points throughout the race being crowned the winner of the green jersey. The battle for the green jersey adds an extra layer of excitement to the Tour de France, as riders push themselves to the limit in thrilling sprint finishes.

The polka dot jersey: Maillot à Pois – The King of the Mountains jersey

The polka dot jersey, or Maillot à Pois, is one of the most visually striking jerseys in the Tour de France. It is awarded to the rider who excels in the mountain stages, conquering the challenging ascents and demonstrating exceptional climbing abilities. Introduced in 1975, the polka dot jersey adds a touch of drama to the race, highlighting the fierce battles that take place in the mountains. Despite being a relatively recent addition as a jersey, there has been a form of a mountains classification since 1905.

The polka dot jersey gets its name from the distinctive polka dot pattern adorning the jersey. The design was inspired by the red and white polka dot jersey worn by the best climber in the 1969 Vuelta a España, which caught the attention of the Tour de France organisers. The dots represent the mountains and the relentless effort required to conquer them.

To win the polka dot jersey, riders must accumulate points by reaching the mountain summits first. The more challenging the climb, the more points are awarded. The King of the Mountains is determined by the rider with the highest number of points, showcasing their climbing prowess and tenacity. The polka dot jersey has become a symbol of endurance and determination, representing the gruelling battle between man and mountain in the Tour de France.

The white jersey: Maillot Blanc – The best young rider jersey

The white jersey, or Maillot Blanc, is a symbol of youthful talent and promise in the Tour de France. It is awarded to the best young rider under the age of 26, highlighting the emerging stars of the sport. The white jersey was also introduced in 1975 to recognise the impressive performances of young riders and provide them with a platform to shine.

The white jersey stands out with its clean and crisp design, representing the purity and potential of young riders. It serves as a reminder that the future of cycling lies in the hands of these talented individuals. The white jersey is often hotly contested, as young riders seize the opportunity to make their mark on the race and showcase their potential.

To win the white jersey, riders must demonstrate exceptional skill and consistency throughout the race. They compete not only against each other but also against more experienced riders, making their achievements even more impressive. The white jersey offers a glimpse into the future of the sport, celebrating the young riders who have the potential to become the next generation of cycling legends.

The history and significance of the jerseys

The jerseys of the Tour de France carry a rich history and deep significance that is intertwined with the race itself. Each jersey tells a story, representing different aspects of the sport and the extraordinary athletes who participate in it. From the inaugural yellow jersey that marked the birth of a tradition, to the green jersey that celebrates the explosive power of sprinters, these jerseys have become symbols of excellence and determination.

Over the years, the jerseys have evolved in design and style, reflecting the changing times and the advancements in sports fashion. What started as simple garments to distinguish the race leaders have transformed into works of art, with intricate patterns, bold colours, and sponsor logos adorning the fabric. The design choices are not arbitrary; they are carefully considered to capture the essence of each jersey and its respective category.

The jerseys have also witnessed the triumphs and tribulations of legendary riders who have left an indelible mark on the Tour de France. From Eddy Merckx ‘s dominance in the yellow jersey to Peter Sagan’s reign as the king of the green jersey, these riders have become synonymous with the jerseys they wore, etching their names into the annals of cycling history.

The significance of the jerseys extends beyond the race itself. They have become cultural icons, representing the spirit of competition, the pursuit of excellence, and the camaraderie among riders. Fans and collectors alike treasure these jerseys, displaying them as symbols of their love for the sport and the enduring legacy of the Tour de France.

Famous riders who have dominated the jerseys

Throughout the history of the Tour de France, there have been riders who have dominated the different jerseys, leaving an indelible mark on the race. These riders have become legends in their own right, their achievements etched into the fabric of the jerseys they wore.

In the yellow jersey category, one cannot overlook the legendary Eddy Merckx. The Belgian cyclist won the yellow jersey a record-breaking five times and is considered one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport. Merckx’s dominance in the yellow jersey remains unparalleled, earning him the nickname “The Cannibal” for his insatiable hunger for victory.

In the green jersey category, Peter Sagan’s name shines bright. The Slovakian cyclist has won the green jersey a record-breaking seven times, showcasing his exceptional sprinting abilities and versatility as a rider. Sagan’s charismatic personality and thrilling performances have made him a fan favourite, and his reign as the king of the green jersey continues to captivate audiences around the world.

In the polka dot jersey category, Richard Virenque stands out as one of the most successful climbers in the history of the Tour de France. The French cyclist won the polka dot jersey a record-breaking seven times, showcasing his mastery of the mountains and his relentless pursuit of victory. Virenque’s tenacity and climbing prowess have made him a legend among fans of the race.

In the white jersey category, Jan Ullrich’s name holds a special place. The German cyclist won the white jersey three times and went on to become the overall winner of the Tour de France in 1997. Ullrich’s achievements at a young age marked him as a rising star in the sport, and his performances continue to inspire young riders to this day.

These riders, among many others, have left an indelible mark on the Tour de France jerseys, solidifying their status as legends of the race and inspiring future generations of cyclists.

The evolution of the jerseys over the years

The jerseys of the Tour de France have undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the evolution of both the sport and the fashion industry. What started as simple garments to distinguish the race leaders have transformed into highly sought-after fashion statements, capturing the attention of fans and designers alike.

In the early years of the Tour de France, the jerseys were basic and functional, with minimal design elements. The emphasis was on functionality rather than fashion, as the primary purpose of the jerseys was to identify the race leaders. The yellow jersey, for example, was a simple garment made of wool, featuring a collar, buttons, and short sleeves.

As the race gained popularity and sponsorship deals became more prominent, the jerseys started to incorporate sponsor logos and branding. This marked the beginning of the jerseys’ transformation into advertising billboards, with sponsors’ names and logos becoming prominent features of the design.

In recent years, advancements in fabric technology and printing techniques have allowed for more intricate and visually stunning designs. The jerseys now feature bold colours, intricate patterns, and eye-catching graphics, capturing the attention of fans and creating a sense of excitement around the race.

The evolution of the jerseys is not just limited to their design; the materials used have also undergone significant changes. Wool has been replaced by lightweight synthetic fabrics that offer enhanced breathability and moisture-wicking properties, ensuring that the riders stay cool and comfortable during the race.

The jerseys of the Tour de France are a testament to the ever-changing nature of fashion and the sport itself. They reflect the trends and innovations of their respective eras, serving as a visual timeline of the race’s history and the evolution of cycling attire.

Collecting and displaying Tour de France jerseys

For fans of the Tour de France, collecting and displaying jerseys is a way to celebrate their love for the sport and the iconic race. Tour de France jerseys hold immense sentimental value, representing the history, achievements, and legends of the race. Here are a few tips for collecting and displaying these cherished garments.

Research and authenticity

When collecting Tour de France jerseys, it is important to research their authenticity. Look for official replicas or jerseys that have been verified by reputable sources. Be cautious of counterfeit jerseys that may be circulating in the market.

Focus on significance

Consider collecting jerseys that hold significance to you personally. Whether it’s the yellow jersey of your favourite rider or the polka dot jersey of a legendary climber, choose jerseys that resonate with you and tell a story.

Display with care

When displaying Tour de France jerseys, it is important to handle them with care. Use proper hangers or display cases to prevent creasing or damage to the fabric. Avoid exposing the jerseys to direct sunlight or excessive moisture, as this can cause fading or deterioration.

Tell the story

Accompany your displayed jerseys with information and stories about the riders or the race itself. This adds depth and context to the jerseys, allowing viewers to appreciate their significance and the history they represent.

Rotate your collection

If you have a substantial collection of Tour de France jerseys, consider rotating them periodically to keep the display fresh and interesting. This allows you to showcase different jerseys and riders while preserving the condition of each garment.

Collecting and displaying Tour de France jerseys is not just a hobby; it is a way to pay homage to the sport and the athletes who have made it legendary. It is a celebration of the rich history and captivating stories behind these iconic garments, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of cycling attire.

The Tour de France jerseys are more than just pieces of clothing; they are symbols of excellence, determination, and the indomitable spirit of the race. From the iconic yellow jersey that represents the leader to the polka dot jersey that honours the best climber, each jersey carries its own narrative and significance.

The jerseys of the Tour de France have evolved over the years, reflecting the changing times and the advancements in sports fashion. What started as simple garments to distinguish the race leaders have transformed into works of art, with intricate designs and bold colours capturing the attention of fans and designers alike.

Collecting and displaying Tour de France jerseys is a way to celebrate the sport and its legends. These jerseys hold immense sentimental value, representing the history, achievements, and legends of the race. They serve as a visual timeline of the Tour de France’s evolution and the enduring legacy of the athletes who have graced its stages.

So gear up and embark on this captivating journey through the vibrant world of cycling attire. Explore the secrets behind the yellow, green, polka dot, and white jerseys, and discover the stories that have shaped the Tour de France. Immerse yourself in the kaleidoscope of colours and symbolism that grace these iconic jerseys, and gain a newfound appreciation for the artistry woven into the fabric of the race. The Tour de France jerseys are not just garments; they are symbols of triumph, passion, and the enduring spirit of the race.

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2023 tour de france jerseys: what do the yellow, green, white and polka dot jerseys mean.

The world’s greatest cyclists have their sights set on the Tour de France 2023 — and with the infamous event less than one month away, not much time remains until we see the best riders compete to obtain the yellow, green, polka-dot and white jerseys. But what do these highly coveted jerseys mean to the cyclists fighting for them?

The famed Tour de France is making its way to NBC and Peacock in just a few weeks, taking place Saturday, July 1 through Sunday, July 23. See below to learn what the Tour de France jerseys mean and how a rider earns one.

RELATED: Tour de France 2023: How to watch, start time, route and more

What is the meaning of the yellow jersey?

Nearly every professional cyclist dreams of someday donning the Tour de France’s yellow jersey, also known as the maillot jaune .

This piece of clothing that stands above all else is awarded to the overall classification leader at the conclusion of each stage, with the fastest rider from the day before given the right to wear the jersey for the following day of racing. It’s important to remember, however, that the winner of this jersey is based on time rather than points, so the winner of the stage is not always the cyclist who gets to bear the yellow jersey.

When the race is completed, the overall champion of the Champs-Élysées receives the fabled yellow jersey. Last year’s winner of the maillot jaune was Team Jumbo-Visma’s Jonas Vingegaard , who remains a favorite for this year’s Tour.

RELATED: Relive Jonas Vingegaard’s 2022 Tour de France victory

What is the meaning of the green jersey?

The green jersey, also known as the maillot vert, is awarded to each day’s leader in points classification. These points are distributed among riders at stage finishes and intermediate sprints in line stages.

The number of points available for each stage varies depending on the stage’s profile. For example, a flat stage finish is typically worth more points than a hilly or mountainous stage finish. The jersey is typically dubbed “the sprinter’s jersey”, and is seen as a symbol of passion and explosivity from the riders who wear it.

Belgian star Wout van Aert earned the maillot vert in fiery fashion last year, picking up 480 points throughout the Tour de France. The closest any rider came to matching this number was Jasper Philipsen , who earned 286.

What is the meaning of the polka-dot jersey?

The Tour de France’s polka-dot covered jersey ( maillot à pois rouges) is awarded to the “King of the Mountains”, the rider who leads the pack in Mountains Classification.

Points are distributed to riders who reach the summit first in designated climbs of each stage. These, points, however, can vary depending on the difficulty of the climb. These climbs are ranked in categories 1 through 4, with 1 being the most difficult and 4 being the least. If a climb is ranked as “ hors catégorie”, it means that this is a climb “beyond category”, reserved for the most challenging endeavors. Points are then awarded based on the category of the climb.

A rider who earns the maillot à pois rouges symbolizes one who pushes beyond their limits with a great deal of courage. In addition to claiming the yellow jersey in 2022, Jonas Vingegaard also claimed last year’s polka-dot jersey, being crowned “King of the Mountains”.

RELATED: Click here for all NBC Sports cycling coverage

What is the meaning of the white jersey?

The white jersey ( maillot blanc) is one of promise and hope for the future. While the jersey first surfaced on the Tour in 1968 to reward the leader of combined classification, its meaning transformed in 1975 to a recognition of cycling’s young achievers.

Today, the white jersey remains as a symbol of youthful talent, being awarded to the best placed cyclist in overall standings under the age of 26. Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar earned rights to the maillot blanc in last year’s Tour de France at 23 years old.

When is the 2023 Tour de France?

The 2023 Tour de France will take place from July 1-23. The riders will embark on the first stage in Bilbao on Saturday, July 1.

How can I watch the 2023 Tour de France?

Coverage will air on NBC Sports and Peacock from start to finish.

Be sure to follow OlympicTalk for the latest news, storylines, and updates on the 2023 Tour de France!

The jerseys of the 2024 Tour de France

Details of the four iconic leader's jerseys and the minor prizes at the race

There are four Tour de France classification jerseys awarded after every stage of the three-week race, each recognising different successes and talents in the race.

The iconic yellow jersey is worn by the race leader based on time, the green jersey is awarded to the leader based on points awarded at intermediate sprints and the finishes, the red polka-dot king of the mountains jersey is based on points awarded on categorised climbs, while the white best young rider's jersey is another based on time, only reserved for riders born after January 1, 1998.

The team classification is also based on time, with the riders of the leading team racing with special yellow numbers (dossards). The most aggressive rider wears a special gold number during the following stage.

The most aggressive rider (super-combatif) of the whole race is selected by members of the jury at the end of the Tour de France and is awarded a trophy on the final podium in Paris just like the other competition winners.

Santini is the official jersey maker for the Tour de France, and will put the finishing touches - adding all necessary logos - to the winners' jerseys on-site at the Tour de France. That also means fans can buy their own replica jerseys and other Tour de France merchandising.

The yellow jersey – the maillot jaune   

The yellow jersey is worn by the leader of the general classification, the rider with the lowest net time in the race after every stage. The rider who takes it to Paris is crowned the Tour de France winner, the most prestigious success of the men’s cycling season. 

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) won the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France.

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The jersey is yellow because the newspaper that first organised the race, L'Auto , was printed on yellow paper.

The classification is based on the time taken for each rider to cover the 21 stages, taking into account time penalties and time bonuses. 

In the event of a tie in the general classification, the hundredths of a second recorded by the timekeepers during the individual time trial stages will be included in the total times in order to decide the overall winner. 

In the absence of a time trial or if the riders remain tied, then the positions in which they finished each stage will be added up and, as a last resort, their finishing position on the final stage will be taken into account.

Bonus seconds are offered to encourage attacking racing and these are deducted from the time taken to cover the stage. Bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds are awarded on the finish line to the leading three riders on each stage, excluding time trials. There are also certain climbs with bonuses of 8, 5, and 2 seconds at the top such as the Jaizkibel on stage 2 which should encourage aggressive riding from the favourites.

All riders must finish within the time limit – a certain percentage (ranging from 104% to 120% depending on the stage and average speed) of the stage winner's time each day in order to continue in the race. This is often a problem for sprinters, domestiques and injured riders when it comes to the high mountains.

The green jersey – the maillot vert

The green jersey is worn by the leader of the points classification. Points are awarded at stage finishes and intermediate sprints.

While the sprinters are the main candidates for the green jersey, it's the more versatile among them who have the best chance of overall success in Paris. 

Peter Sagan is one such rider and has won green in seven of the past nine Tours, while Wout Van Aert dominated the points classification in 2022 to take his first green jersey. Jasper Philipsen won four sprint stages to anchor his green jersey in 2023.

Points are awarded to the first 15 riders at stage finishes or intermediate sprints, with different allocations depending on the nature of the stage. More points are awarded on flat stages than on mountain stages or time trials. The winner of a flat stage scores 50 points, a mountain stage winner just 20.

Only riders who complete the entire Tour de France are included in the points classification.

In the event where a rider or riders finish outside the time limit but are reinstated by the president of the commissaires’ jury, they will lose all points awarded to them in the points classification.            

For 2023 the green jersey was a much darker shade of green than fans are used to as per a request made by the sponsor of the jersey, Skoda but the colour was not popular with fans.                      

The polka-dot jersey – the maillot blanc à pois rouges

The polka-dot jersey is worn by the leader of the mountains classification, who is known as the 'king of the mountains.’ For the three recent editions of the Tour, the overall winner has also won the polka-dot jersey but Italy's Giulio Ciccone of Lidl-Trek won the competition in 2023.

Mountain points are on offer at the top of every classified climb, ranging from the hardest – 'hors catégorie' – to the easiest – category 4.

Hors catégorie: 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-2

Category 1: 10-8-6-4-2-1

Category 2: 5-3-2-1

Category 3: 2-1

Category 4: 1

In the event of two riders being equal on points, the rider with the most first places at the summit of super-category passes or climbs or summit finishes will be declared the winner.

Only riders who complete the entire Tour de France will be included in the best climber classification. In the event of a rider or riders finishing outside the time limit but being reinstated by the president of the commissaires’ jury, they will lose all points awarded to them in the best climber classification.

The white jersey – the maillot blanc

The white jersey is worn by the leader of the youth classification. 

A 'young rider' is anyone who was born after January 1, 1998, so anyone under 25. The jersey goes to the best placed on general classification, based on time.

Tadej Pogačar has won the white jersey at the last four editions of the Tour, two of which he also won the yellow jersey. 

The white jersey often used to be an indication of future Tour de France contenders, but since Pogačar has risen to greatness at such a young age, it's been difficult to see the future contenders as obviously. He is now too old for competition, with the white jersey up for grabs in 2024.

The gold dossard 

The special gold number dossard is awarded to the rider deemed, subjectively, the ‘most combative’ the previous day. It is usually the rider most active in the breakaway or someone who shows panache and aggression or even qualities of sportsmanship. It used to be a red number, but has changed this year as Century 21 now sponsor the classification and the new colour runs in line with their branding.

The prize, which is awarded on every road stage except the final one, is decided by a jury presided over by the race director and a new vote made by members of the Tour de France Club. Each stage’s most aggressive rider wears a gold race dossard during the following stage.

The race’s most aggressive rider (super-combatif) is selected by members of the jury at the end of the Tour de France and was won by Wout Van Aert in 2022. This year Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) won the super-combatif award after a number of aggressive attacks on stages.

Yellow dossard

The yellow race number dossard is worn by members of the team leading the teams classification. It is calculated by adding together the times of each team's three best riders on every stage. 

Any team reduced to fewer than three riders will be eliminated from the team classification.

Wearing a leader’s jersey is mandatory from the signing-in protocol before the stage start until the post-stage press conference.

Skinsuits are provided to the leaders of the various rankings for time trial stages, with special fitting sessions arranged the day before the time trials.

Riders can lead multiple jersey classifications but only wear one jersey in the race. There is an established order of priority for the different leader’s jerseys: the yellow jersey, followed by the green jersey, then the red polka-dot jersey and finally the white jersey.

When a rider is leading several classifications, they wear the one designated by the order of priority. The other jerseys are then worn by the riders lying second, third or fourth in the corresponding classification.

Stephen is the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022, before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters , Shift Active Media , and CyclingWeekly , among other publications.

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Tour de France 2023 jersey guide: Who wears the yellow jersey? Green, polka dot and white jerseys explained

Published 03/07/2023 at 15:47 GMT

Each year, new fans flock to cycling due to the allure of the Tour de France. But it's not always the easiest sport to understand, particularly when it comes to the different jerseys on offer at the sport's biggest race. Here, we unpick the yellow, green, polka dot and white jersey competitions. Once you're up to speed, dive back into the Tour live and on-demand on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk.

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Who wears the yellow jersey in the Tour de France?

Who wears the green jersey in the tour de france.

• Flat stages: 50 points, 30, 20, 18, 16 (descending down to 15th position)
• Hilly stages: 30 points, 25, 22, 19, 17 (descending down to 15th position)
• Mountain stages: 20 points, 17, 15, 13, 11 (descending down to 15th position)
• Individual time trial: 20 points, 17, 15, 13, 11 (descending down to 15th position)
• Intermediate sprint: 20 points, 17, 15, 13, 11 (descending down to 15th position)

Who wears the polka dot jersey in the Tour de France?

• Hors Categorie: 20 points, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2
• Cat. 1: 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1
• Cat. 2: 5, 3, 2, 1
• Cat. 3: 2, 1

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Tour de France jerseys and meanings

Ever wondered what the yellow, green, polka dot and white jerseys mean at the tour de france.

If you’re new to watching the Tour de France, you may notice four jerseys that are different from the rest of the riders in the race. Unlike one-day races, grand tours and other stage races have competitions within the competition; the special jerseys signify the leaders in those specific categories and are worn, in part, so spectators can pick them out in the crowded field of riders. 

This year’s Tour de France (and the women’s version of the race, Le Tour Femmes) promises to be one of the most exciting yet, and the competition for these jerseys will be fierce. 

What do the jerseys of the Tour de France mean?

At the Tour de France, riders compete for the jerseys signifying four individual classifications: 

• General Classification (Yellow) 
• Mountains Classification (Polka Dot) 
• Points Classification (Green) 
• Young Rider Classification (White) 

In addition to the jersey competitions, riders also battle for the team classification and award for the most combative rider. The team isn’t awarded a jersey, but wear black on yellow race numbers and may wear yellow helmets, if they so choose. The most combatitive rider, chosen by the race jury each day, wears a special golden number the following race day.  

At the end of each stage, the leaders of each classification are awarded their jersey. Those leaders wear the Tour de France yellow, polka dot, green or white jersey the next day. At the end of the race, the leaders become the overall winners of their respective jerseys. 

What does the yellow jersey of the Tour de France mean?

Perhaps the most famous jersey on the planet, the yellow jersey —or maillot jaune, as it’s known in French—belongs to the leader of the General Classification (GC). The yellow jersey of the Tour de France is the oldest and most coveted jersey not only of the TdF, but also the sport of cycling. The rules are simple: the rider with the fastest cumulative time wears the yellow jersey. At the end of the race, that rider is the overall winner of the Tour de France. 

Previous yellow jersey winners

The riders with the most Tour de France victories in history are Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain, each with five general classifications wins to their name. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) has won the overall yellow twice in the last two years. 

Who are the main contenders for the yellow jersey in 2024?

Vingegaard was an early favorite to the overall yellow jersey again in 2024. However, his aspirations suffered a major setback after a horrible crash during stage four of Itzulia Basque Country, leaving him with a broken collarbone, multiple broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. Two of his main competitors for the yellow jersey this year, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Primoz Roglic (Bora-Hansgrohe), were caught up in the same crash, with Evenpoel also suffering a broken collarbone. It remains to be seen how this will impact the race in July. 

What does the polka dot jersey of the Tour de France mean?

Introduced in 1933 as a second classification for riders to pursue, the winner of the mountains classification is awarded a polka dot jersey for conquering the most climbs of the Tour de France . The rider wearing the polka dot jersey is often referred to as the King of the Mountains. 

Each significant climb throughout the race is categorised from 1 (most difficult) to 4 (least difficult) based on factors such as gradient and length. Tougher climbs attract more points for the riders first across the summit. Hors categorie –meaning uncategorised in French – climbs are so difficult, they’re said to defy categorization. As such, these ascents are awarded the most points, while summit finishes (stages that end at the peak of a climb) are worth double points. 

Previous winners of the polka dot jersey

Richard Virenque still holds the record for the number of polka dot jerseys to his name with seven King of the Mountains victories throughout his career. Giulio Ciccone ( Trek–Segafredo ) won the polka dot jersey at the 2023 race, the first Italian King of the Mountains since 1992. 

Who are the main contenders for the polka dot jersey in 2024?

Ciccone could contend for the polka dot jersey again in 2024, but his main focus this year may be his home tour, the Giro d’Italia. Canyon-sponsored Nairo Quintana (Movistar) won the polka dot jersey in 2013 and was expected to contend for that jersey once again this year, perhaps atop the Canyon Ultimate CFR . However, a ruptured ligament suffered during the Volta a Catalunya could derail those plans. The wide-open competition for this year’s polka dot jersey should be exciting, with any number of riders attempting to etch their name in the record books. 

What does the green jersey of the Tour de France mean?

When fans think of the Tour de France, they often associate the race with daring climbers and massive mountain stages, but the sprinters deserve recognition as well. The green jersey of the Tour de France or the maillot vert is awarded to the rider with the most cumulative points at the end of each stage and, of course, at the end of the TdF. 

The first 15 riders across the line in any stage are awarded points. The first rider receives the most points and the following 14 gradually fewer points. To incentivise the sprinters, more points are available on flat stages. Intermediate sprints mid-way through other non-flat stages offer yet more points to add to the riders’ totals. 

Previous winners of the green jersey

Peter Sagan’s name became synonymous with the green jersey, winning the points classification a staggering seven times during his career, often in dominating fashion. Mark Cavendish has won the overall green jersey twice in his career and is tied for the most Tour de France stage victories (34) with Eddy Merckx. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) dominated the sprints last year on his Canyon road bike on his way to winning the points classification. (You don’t have to win the green jersey competition to look like part of his team, as Canyon sells official Alpecin-Deceuninck gear .) 

Who are the main contenders for the green jersey in 2024?

All eyes will be on Cavendish during the sprints this year as he pursues his 35th stage win, but Philipsen will be tough to be beat, both in the individual sprints and the race for the overall green jersey. 

What does the white jersey of the Tour de France mean?

The young rider classification has been around since 1987 in its current format. The winner of the white jersey of the Tour de France is the leading rider under the age of 26 in the general classification. The winner of the white jersey has also been the winner of the yellow jersey numerous times throughout the race’s history. 

Previous winners of the white jersey

Andy Schleck and Jan Ullrich both won the white jersey three times during their Tour de France careers. Quintana won the young rider classification twice for Movistar Team: once in 2013 when he also won the polka dot jersey and again in 2015 when he came in second overall. Tadej Pogačar has won the best young rider categorization a record-breaking four times, spending 75 days in white. (He also won the overall yellow and polka dot jerseys in two of those years.) 

Who are the main contenders for the white jersey in 2024?

Pogačar is no longer eligible to win the white jersey, but this year he may attempt to win the yellow jersey once again, as well as the pink jersey given to the overall winner of the Giro d’Italia . (The last person to accomplish this feat was Marco Pantini in 1998.) So who will end the Tour de France in white this year? Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS Grenadiers) placed fifth in last year’s Tour and will only be 23 years old this year. Spanish national champion and Canyon-sponsored Oier Lazkano (Movistar) rider could potentially be a dark horse for the white jersey if the 24 year old is chosen for the TdF squad. Discover which Canyon racing bikes are used by the Movistar team . 

Tour de France Team and Most Combative Rider Classifications

There are two categories that don’t receive a special jersey: the teams and most aggressive rider classifications. 

The team prize is awarded to the group of riders with the fastest cumulative time throughout the race. This takes into account every rider’s time, not just those in the highest position. Teams rarely, if ever, enter the Tour with the Team Classification as their sole goal, but later in the race, it can be a fun prize to aim for. Canyon-sponsored Movistar has taken the prize for the best team no less than five times, most recently in 2020. Jumbo-Visma won this classification last year. 

The most-combative rider award is awarded to the most aggressive rider of the day, typically one who animated a breakaway or attempted a daring solo escape. Victor Campenaerts (Lotto–Dstny) earned this honor last year. 

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Tour de France 2022: Meaning behind yellow, green, polka dot and white jersey colours

The yellow jersey is the most famous and prestigious of them all, but there are three other colours to look out for in the peloton, article bookmarked.

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The 2022 Tour de France sees 176 riders compete for the famous yellow jersey or maillot jaune which rewards the overall winner of the race.

While the yellow jersey, won in 2020 and 2021 by Slovenian prodigy Tadej Pogacar , is the most famous and prestigious of them all, there are three other colours to look out for in the peloton taking on this year's Tour de France route.

The green, polka dot, and white jerseys all have their own meanings, histories and significance for their respective holders.

While some riders (domestiques) work purely for the benefit of their team leader, others work to win individual stages, and others aim purely for one particular jersey.

It is not just the jerseys to watch out for – those riders wearing yellow helmets are the team leading overall when their times are added together, while the previous day’s combativity prize winner (the most aggressive racer) wears a red ‘bib’.

And anyone wearing a rainbow jersey is the reigning world champion – though this year the road champion Julian Alaphilippe is absent, still recovering from injury.

Here are the four Tour de France jerseys:

Yellow – overall winner

The biggest prize in cycling is the famous yellow jersey of the Tour de France . It is the awarded to the overall winner and worn by the current race leader at the start of each stage, and it is considered hugely prestigious to don the maillot jaune . It was initially introduced so fans could clearly spot the rider in charge, and took its colour from L’Auto (today L’Equipe), the newspaper owned by race founder Henri Desgrange.

Green– best sprinter

The green jersey is the prestigious prize given to the best sprinter in the Tour. The fastest in the pack compete for the biggest points at the end of flat stages and a smaller haul of points on offer during stages – called intermediate sprints. Peter Sagan won a record-equalling sixth green jersey last year, while Britain’s Mark Cavendish has won two and finished runner-up three times.

Polka dot – King of the Mountains

Perhaps almost as famous as the yellow jersey itself, the red polka dots on a white base are awarded to the rider who earns the most King of the Mountains points, which can be collected along the way by being the first to the top of categorised climbs – the more the severe the climb, the more points are on offer. Chris Froome won both the polka dot jersey and the yellow jersey in 2015, the first to do so since the great Eddy Merckx in 1970. In 2018 it was won by home favourite Julian Alaphilippe in some style.

White – best young rider

The white jersey is awarded to the highest placed rider who was 24 or younger on the first day of the year. The jersey was introduced in 1975, before a 10-year hiatus in the 90s, but returned in the 21st century and has been won by Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana, and both the British Yates twins, Simon and Adam.

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Tour de France jerseys: Colors and meanings explained

The fanciful jerseys that cyclists wear during the Tour de France aren’t simply fashion choices.

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As the Tour de France continues, some riders can be seen sporting jerseys in yellow, green, and white with red polka dots.

No, their jerseys are not a fashion decision. The color of the jerseys actually reflects where a handful of the riders stand in the competition, or their previous success in other races heading into the Tour.

So, what do all the colors of the jerseys mean?

Yellow Jersey:

The yellow jersey is worn by the overall time leader of the Tour de France. This jersey is the most coveted of all the jerseys worn by a rider in the Tour.

The jersey is awarded after each stage of the race. The riders’ total times are added up, and the rider who has completed the stages up to that point in the least amount of time earns the yellow jersey. The overall leader then wears the yellow jersey during the following day of racing, and every day he is still in the lead.

Green Jersey:

The green jersey signifies the leading cyclist in stage points. Riders who finish among the top 15 riders at the end of each stage are awarded points based on position, with first earning the most points.

The number of points awarded for each stage depends on the terrain of the stage. The flatter the stage, the more points awarded to those top positions. As a result, the leaders of the green jersey competition tend to be the best pure sprinters.

There are other opportunities for riders to earn points that contribute to their standing on the points classification. Points are also awarded during the individual time trial stages, and intermediate sprint contests that take place in the midst of traditional stages. These intermediate sprint contests occur at least once during each stage, and are usually worth fewer points than the stage finishes.

Polka Dot Jersey:

The white with red polka dot jersey, also known as the King of the Mountains jersey, is awarded to the cyclist who is the best climber. Points are awarded to the cyclists who top the categorized climbs of the Tour first. The number of points given to the riders depends on the category of the mountain.

The climbs are divided in five categories based on the steepness and length of the climb. An Hors Catégorie climb is literally an “outside category” climb, and is the most difficult type of climb on the Tour. From there, climbs are rated 1-4, with a Category 1 climb being especially difficult, and a Category 4 climb being relatively easy.

The harder the climb, the more points riders can earn at the summit. The points earned from all the climbs of the Tour are added together at the end of each stage, and the jersey is awarded to the rider with the most mountain points.

White Jersey:

The white jersey is awarded to under-25 cyclist who has completed the race in the least amount of time. It is similar to the yellow jersey, but only for this certain age group.

Rainbow Jersey:

The rainbow jersey is not awarded to a rider during the Tour. It can be worn by the reining men’s road race world champion, however — as determined at the UCI Road World Championships during the previous summer — as he competes in the Tour. The world champion in time trials also can wear the rainbow jersey during the time trial stages of the Tour. This year, the individual time trial takes place on Stage 20.

National Champion Jerseys:

Current national road race champions can also choose to wear their national team jerseys during the individual stages.

If a rider wins the yellow, green, polka dot, or white jersey while wearing the rainbow or national team jersey, he can choose which one he wants to race in. During the current Tour, Peter Sagan is both the reining world champion and green jersey leader at the moment, so he’s choosing to wear green as he competes in the Tour.

Other Awards:

There are other awards handed out to certain riders throughout the Tour. The most combative rider — meaning, someone the race jury decides displays a “fighting spirit” during the individual stages — gets to wear a white-on-red number during the following stage.

There is also a team classification, which is based on the times of the top three riders of each team in the overall time standings at the end of every stage. The leading team wears black-on-yellow numbers, and have the option to wear yellow helmets.

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Tour de France

What do the tour de france jerseys mean, the tour de france is a colorful affair, with multiple competitions going on simultaneously. the leader of each competition wears a special yellow, white, green, or polka-dot jersey..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

The Tour de France is a stage race, which is a multi-day competition consisting of individual races — or stages — where prizes are awarded for both each day’s competition and for the cumulative overall results.

The primary competition is time-based: The first man across the line each day wins the stage. But the biggest battle at the Tour is for the yellow jersey: The rider with the lowest time overall after the 21 stages wins the Tour de France.

• 2022 Tour de France essential race preview: Who will win the yellow jersey?
• Tour de France 2022: Frequently asked questions
• How to watch the 2022 Tour de France: Online, streaming, and on television

There are races within the race: The King of the Mountains competition, the Points competition — often referred to as the sprinter’s jersey — and the Best Young Rider competition. As with the overall race lead, the leader of each of these competitions wears a special jersey throughout the race.

The Tour de France is a grand tour, which is the most prestigious type of stage race in the world and lasts for three weeks. The Giro d’Italia in Italy and the Vuelta a España in Spain are the other two grand tours. The Giro and the Vuelta have similar jersey competitions, but with different colored jerseys.

Here is what the colored jerseys of the Tour de France mean.

Yellow (General Classification)

After each stage, the rider with the fastest cumulative time is awarded the yellow race leader’s jersey to wear the following day. The cumulative time is what is known as the general classification, as opposed to each day’s stage result. While it is prestigious to wear the yellow jersey on any stage, it is only the final, cumulative result after three weeks that wins one rider the Tour de France — and €500,000 in prize money. The other podium finishers also ride away with a decent financial bonus with €250,000 going to the runner-up and €125,000 for third place.

Polka-dot (King of the Mountains)

Mountain points are awarded at the summit of all categorized climbs. The rider with the most cumulative mountain points wears the polka-dot jersey throughout the race. The overall winner earns €25,000 in prize money.

Points in the competition are graded by the severity of the climbs, with the tough ascents offering up the most points. Climbs that are deemed hors catégorie, or beyond categorization, are the hardest, and fourth category ascents are the easiest. Crossing the line first on an hors catégorie climb can earn a rider 20 points down to two for eighth across the line, while a fourth category only offers one point for the first rider.

Green (Points competition)

Points are awarded each stage (other than individual time trials) at intermediate sprints and at the end of every stage finish. The rider with the most points wears a green jersey, and the rider who finishes with the most points takes green and €25,000 in prize money.

How the points are allocated has been altered over the years with much more weight given to the flat sprint days in recent years. Currently, riders get 50 points for a win on a flat day compared to 30 on a hilly stage and 20 when the race goes through the high mountains. As well as at the finish, there are points on offer in the intermediate sprints, the allocation of which remains the same each day.

Peter Sagan has the record for number of green jersey’s won after claiming his seventh in 2019, while Erik Zabel was the previous record holder at six.

White (Best young rider)

The rider with the fastest cumulative time who is 25 or younger wears the white jersey. The overall winner earns €20,000 in prize money. It was introduced in 1975 and many riders that have won this jersey have gone on to win the Tour de France outright, and in recent years, the yellow jersey has been the winner of the youth classification as well.

Two-time winner Tadej Pogačar and 2019 victor Egan Bernal were both under 25 when they took the overall win.

Other prizes and symbols at the Tour de France

Winning a stage of the Tour de France represents a career-affirming accomplishment for a pro cyclist. Every year there are 21 stages up for grabs, and each one pays €11,000 to the winner.

Combativity prize

A panel of experts picks the most aggressive rider during each stage; this rider wears a white number with a red background on his jersey the next day and earns €2,000. At the end of the race, the panel will award one rider with the “Super Combativity” prize and €20,000.

Team Classification

After each stage, the cumulative times of the three best-placed riders on each team are tallied, excluding any time bonuses or penalties. The team with the lowest cumulative time at the end of the race wins the Team Classification and €50,000.

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poga\u010dar","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/giro-ditalia-underdog-alert-bardet-thomas-and-dark-horses-lurking-to-surprise-on-pogacar\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/giro-ditalia-underdog-alert-bardet-thomas-and-dark-horses-lurking-to-surprise-on-pogacar\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"giro d\u2019italia underdog alert: bardet, thomas, and dark horses lurking to surprise on poga\u010dar\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/giro-ditalia-underdog-alert-bardet-thomas-and-dark-horses-lurking-to-surprise-on-pogacar\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"giro d\u2019italia underdog alert: bardet, thomas, and dark horses lurking to surprise on poga\u010dar\"}}\u0027>\n giro d\u2019italia underdog alert: bardet, thomas, and dark horses lurking to surprise on poga\u010dar\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"demi vollering becomes a nike athlete, reflecting her growing prestige","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/demi-vollering-becomes-a-nike-athlete-reflecting-her-growing-prestige\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/demi-vollering-becomes-a-nike-athlete-reflecting-her-growing-prestige\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"demi vollering becomes a nike athlete, reflecting her growing prestige\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/demi-vollering-becomes-a-nike-athlete-reflecting-her-growing-prestige\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"demi vollering becomes a nike athlete, reflecting her growing prestige\"}}\u0027>\n demi vollering becomes a nike athlete, reflecting her growing prestige\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"hunger, freshness, faith: how tadej poga\u010dar and uae emirates plan to raid the grand tour history books","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/hunger-freshness-faith-how-tadej-pogacar-and-uae-emirates-plan-to-raid-the-grand-tour-history-books\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/hunger-freshness-faith-how-tadej-pogacar-and-uae-emirates-plan-to-raid-the-grand-tour-history-books\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"hunger, freshness, faith: how tadej poga\u010dar and uae emirates plan to raid the grand tour history books\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/hunger-freshness-faith-how-tadej-pogacar-and-uae-emirates-plan-to-raid-the-grand-tour-history-books\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"hunger, freshness, faith: how tadej poga\u010dar and uae emirates plan to raid the grand tour history books\"}}\u0027>\n hunger, freshness, faith: how tadej poga\u010dar and uae emirates plan to raid the grand tour history books\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "}]' > >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>advertise >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>privacy policy >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>contact >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>careers >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>terms of use >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>site map >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>my newsletters manage cookie preferences privacy request healthy living.

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Tour de France Jerseys Explained – What Do They Mean?

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The Tour de France, the prestigious and gruelling cycling race, is renowned for its iconic jerseys that symbolize various achievements and classifications during the event. Let’s take a closer look at the different jerseys and what they represent.

The Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune)

• 1 The Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune)
• 2 The Green Jersey (Maillot Vert)
• 3 The Polka Dot Jersey (Maillot à Pois Rouges)
• 4 The White Jersey (Maillot Blanc)
• 5 Tour de France Jersesy – Conclusion

The Yellow Jersey is arguably the most coveted jersey at the Tour de France. It signifies the leader of the general classification, which is determined by the overall time taken by each cyclist in the race. The rider with the lowest cumulative time across all stages gets to wear the Yellow Jersey. It represents consistency, endurance, and excellence. The wearer of the Yellow Jersey is considered the race leader and often becomes the centre of attention throughout the event.

It was “officially” introduced in 1919 before the background to be able to identify the leader of the general classification more easily on photographs and later on television. Before the maillot jaune, the overall leader wore a green armband. However, the Belgian rider Philippe Thys argued that he was forced to wear a yellow jersey in 1913 by his sporting director Alphonse Baugé. He argued that yellow is the colour of the team’s sponsor (Peugeot) and thus he agreed to wear it.

The official history of the Tour de France has Eugène Christophe as the first rider to wear a yellow jersey on July 19, 1919, on the stage from Grenoble to Geneva. The colour was chosen because of the colour of the newspaper L’Auto, which was the main sponsor of the race.

The rider who has worn it the most days is Eddy Merckx, one of the most prolific Tour de France winners . His record stands at 95 days in yellow, followed by Bernard Hinault on 75. Both have won the Tour five times each. The third place on this podium goes to Miguel Indurain with 60 days. He could still be deplaced as Chris Froome in fourth place has 59 days to his tally and since he is still active – though not racing this year – he could theoretically still try to get to third place.

It is currently (July 2023) worn by Jonas Vingegaard of Jumbo-Visma.

The Green Jersey (Maillot Vert)

The Green Jersey is awarded to the leader of the points classification. Points are awarded at intermediate sprints and stage finishes based on the cyclist’s performance. The more challenging the stage, the more points are available. Sprinters, who excel in flat stages and possess a burst of speed, often target the Green Jersey. It symbolizes sprinting prowess and the ability to accumulate points consistently throughout the race.

Initially, riders in the Tour de France were placed according to a points system and the one with the lowest score, would be the leader of the race. However, in 1912, the time-based system was established. The points classification was re-introduced in 1953 for the 50th anniversary of Le Grand Boucle, this time as an additional classification.

During each stage, there are intermediate sprints at which there are points to be won. The same goes for the sprint finish of the Tour. The Green Jersey has since become associated with the fastest sprinter of the Tour. For a stage win in a flat, i.e. sprint stage, 50 points are awarded to the winner, while at a high mountain stage, only 20 points are up for grabs.

The undisputed king of the sprinters is Peter Sagan, who has won this coveted price seven times. He has worn it for a total of 100 days. The highest points score was achieved in 2022 by Wout van Aert with 480 points, surpassing Sagan with 477.

At the Tour de France 2023 the Belgian Jasper Philipsen is wearing it.

The Polka Dot Jersey (Maillot à Pois Rouges)

The Polka Dot Jersey is adorned by the “King of the Mountains.” It is awarded to the cyclist who has accumulated the most points in the mountain classification. Points are given based on the difficulty of the climbs and the position of the rider at the summit. The Polka Dot Jersey celebrates the climbers who conquer the challenging ascents and excel in the mountains. It represents strength, endurance, and a relentless pursuit of conquering the highest peaks. The maillot a pois rouge was introduced in 1975.

Each climb is given a category, based on the length and gradient of the ascent. There are five categories and for each, there are points allocated for the riders crossing the line on the summit.

1. HC: 20, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2pts 2. 1st: 10, 8, 6, 7, 5, 1pt 3. 2nd: Five, three, two 4. 3rd: two and one point 5. 4th: one point

The record winner of this classification is the French rider Richard Virenque with seven overall victories in this category, followed by Lucien van Impe and Federico Bahamontes, with six wins each.

The American rider Neilson Powless is wearing this shirt in 2023.

The White Jersey (Maillot Blanc)

The White Jersey is given to the best young rider in the general classification. It is restricted to cyclists who are 25 years old or younger. Similar to the Yellow Jersey, the White Jersey represents overall excellence but within the young rider category. It showcases the talent, potential, and promising future of the young riders competing in the Tour de France.

Tadej Pogačar is currently (July 2023) wearing this shirt.

Tour de France Jersesy – Conclusion

It’s important to note that in the case of multiple jerseys being held by the same rider, a hierarchy is established. For instance, if the current Yellow Jersey wearer is also leading the points classification, they will wear the Yellow Jersey, and the Green Jersey will be passed on to the second-ranked cyclist in the points classification.

The jerseys at the Tour de France symbolize different achievements and classifications, providing spectators and participants with a visual representation of the race’s different aspects and current Tour de France standings . Each jersey carries its own significance and adds excitement to the world’s most prestigious cycling event.

There is one rider, and only one rider who has won the yellow, the green and the polka dot jersey all during one edition of the Tour de France: he goes by the nickname the Cannibal. Eddy Merckx. He won the Tour on five occasions and in most cases won at least the points classification, too.

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Christoph Wagner

Thu 2 May 2024

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Tour de France jerseys: here’s what the maillots mean, from Yellow and Green to Polka Dot and White

As well as the iconic maillot jaune, the tour de france rewards the race's best sprinter, climber and young rider with different jerseys.

This year’s Tour de France marks the 100th anniversary of the Yellow Jersey, the most iconic prize in cycling.

The Maillot Jaune is by no means the only special jersey on offer during the world’s biggest bike race , though – here’s what they all mean.

The Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune)

The oldest of the Tour’s jerseys, and the most iconic in cycling, is the Yellow Jersey, which is awarded to the overall leader of the general classification, and the race’s eventual winner – simply the rider to finish the course in the shortest time.

This year’s edition marks the official centenary of the Maillot Jaune, although disputed accounts claim a Belgian rider, Philippe Thys, reluctantly wore one in 1913, after claiming it would make him vulnerable to rival riders.

It was introduced to make the race leader more visible to the crowd, which provoked the ire of its first official wearer, Frenchman Eugene Christophe, who claimed spectators imitated canaries as he rode past.

The Yellow Jersey takes its colour from the pages of  L’Auto,  the French newspaper owned by the Tour’s founder, Henri Desgrange.

Belgian legend Eddy “the Cannibal” Merckx wore yellow for a record 96 days during his career, while Chris Froome leads the way of current riders, with 59 days.

Last year’s Yellow Jersey was, of course, won by Geraint Thomas , who became the third British rider to win the Tour de France after Froome and Bradley Wiggins.

The Green Jersey  (Maillot Vert)

The Green Jersey is worn by the current leader and eventual winner of the points classification, and has been used since the introduction of the competition in 1953.

Traditionally known as the “sprinters jersey”, the Maillot Vert (taking its colour from its original sponsor, a lawn mower producer) rewards points for high placings on individual stages, and for passing intermediate sprint points along the stage route.

The number of points allocated for each placing are weighted more heavily towards flat stages, encouraging purer sprinters, who excel in flat, bunch finishes but struggle in the mountains.

This weighting has become even more pronounced in recent years, after the rules were changed before the 2011 Tour to favour riders like Mark Cavendish, who had won 15 stages in three years but lost out to more solid, consistent all-rounders.

Although Cavendish duly dominated the competition, becoming the first British rider to claim the prize, in recent years nobody has been able to come close to the domination of the Slovakian Peter Sagan.

Since 2012, the freakishly versatile three-time world champion has won six Green Jerseys, a joint record with the German Erik Zabel, with his only defeat (to Michael Matthews in 2017) coming after he was controversially disqualified from the race.

The Polka Dot Jersey (Maillot à  Pois Rouges)

The Tour de France’s most sartorially flamboyant jersey, the Polka Dot, recognises the leader and champion of its second-oldest competition, the King of the Mountains.

Although the mountains classification was introduced in 1933, its distinctive prize has only been worn since 1975, taking its design from the chocolate bar wrappers of its sponsor, Chocolat Poulain.

The competition rewards riders in a similar way to the Green Jersey contest, with points awarded for traversing the Tour’s climbs in first place, and for higher placings on mountain stages.

There are greater rewards on offer for higher climbs – crossing an HC (Hors catégorie) peak brings 20 points, a meagre 4C a single point – and double points for stage placing on summit finishes of 2C or above.

Like the points classification, the King of the Mountains system has shifted to reward purer climbers by offering greater bonuses for tougher climbs, following criticism that the contest was being dominated by breakaway riders, rather than specialists.

Scottish climber Robert Millar won Britain’s first ever Tour jersey with the 1984 King of the Mountains competition, while in 2015 Chris Froome became the first to combine the Yellow and Polka Dot jerseys for 45 years.

Last year, it was won by the Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, who dominated the competition with victory in two mountain stages.

The White Jersey (Maillot Blanc)

The Tour’s youngest winner jersey, the Maillot Blanc is fittingly awarded to the leader of the Young Rider competition, recognising the top performer in the general classification below the age of 26.

First introduced in 1975, the competition was scrapped between 1989 and 1999, but has run uninterrupted since the millennium.

In its history, the White Jersey has been won of four occasions by the race’s overall winner, most recently by Andy Schleck in 2010, awarded the general classification after Alberto Contador was stripped of his victory.

Remarkably, the two British riders to wear it in Paris were twin brothers, with Adam and Scott Yates winning in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

It was won last year by the fittingly-named Frenchman Pierre Latour, who finished 13th in the general classification.

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