4 Different Jerseys in Tour De France and Their Meanings

Different Jerseys in Tour De France
Image from SBnation/Chris Graythen/Getty Images

You might want to know the different jerseys in the Tour de France and what each color means.

While the commentator speaks, it becomes challenging and confusing to know much.

To help you, we have a guide here so your Tour de France goes smoothly!

How Many Jerseys are there in the Tour de France?

The Tour de France has four different jerseys; they are of the following colors:

  1. Yellow
  2. Green
  3. White 
  4. Polka Dot

Different Jerseys in Tour de France

You must know the significance of each jersey and its color to discover more about the Tour de France.

You will see multiple cyclists wearing different colors, and knowing which one is who and why is vital.

So let’s find out why the cyclist is wearing the jersey they are:

Yellow Jersey

Yellow Jersey

The yellow jersey is the most important part of the Tour de France. It is worn by the race leader, who becomes the race’s overall winner.

The yellow jersey has been awarded to riders since 1919, with exceptions in 1936 and 1968.

The yellow jersey symbolizes power and victory, making it a perfect choice for a professional cycling team.

The yellow jersey was first introduced as a symbol of power and victory.

In 1919, teams were given green jerseys to distinguish themselves from other teams. This color was associated with hope at that time. 

Green Jersey

Green Jersey
Peter Sagan (SVK – Bora – Hansgrohe) – photo POOL David Stockman/Belga/BettiniPhoto©2020

The green jersey is another prestigious jersey in the Tour de France. It was first introduced in 1919 and has been awarded the winner of every Tour de France since 1947.

The green jersey is awarded to whoever finishes on top of the general classification. The green jersey symbolizes hope, pride, and victory for all cyclists who wear it.

The green jersey was also worn by some notable cyclists who were not official winners of the Tour de France but still significantly impacted cycling history.

These include Maurice Garin, Fausto Coppi, Alfredo Binda, Louison Bobet, and Gastone Nencini. 

The green jersey is known as the “Points Classification” jersey and by some as the Sprinters Jersey. The best sprinter and the time trialist in the Tour de France wear it. 

White Jersey

White Jersey
Image credit: Eurosport

The white jersey in the Tour de France is worn or given to the best young rider under 26. The white jersey in French is known as the “Le Maillot Blanc.” 

The same awarding technique is used for the white jersey as it is used for the yellow jersey

The white jersey is awarded to the best climber in each stage of a three-week-long race, and during that time, it changes hands many times.

The first rider to wear this particular jersey was Frenchman Charly Gaul in 1903.

Polka Dot Jersey

Polka Dot Jersey
Image credit: Eurosport

The polka dot jersey is the last to be awarded in the Tour de France. It is given to the rider who finishes in the top 3 of a given stage.

This is usually a tiny yellow and black number on a white background.

So, if you are a rider with more mountain stages and climb the steepest mountains, you will be awarded this jersey in the Tour de France. 

Bottom Line

Now you know different jerseys in Tour de France and their meaning. You can now watch the Tour, and eventually, when the awards are given out, you will know why the individuals are wearing a specific color. 

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