The rider who has taken the least time to complete the race so far wears the fabled yellow jersey. As well as the finish line, each stage features an intermediate sprint where there are points and prize money to be won for the first riders across it. The tougher the climb, the more points there are available for that ascent. The leader of the mountains classification is the King of the Mountains and wears the polka-dot jersey.
Named after the red light hung on the back of a train, the lanterne rouge is the rider placed last on the general classification. The iconic yellow jersey, or maillot jaune , is worn by the general classification leader. The green jersey is the prize awarded to the points classification leader. A distinctive white jersey with red polka-dots, awarded to the leader of the mountains classification. The white jersey is worn by the highest-placed young rider in the general classification.
The top finishers in each stage and at each intermediate sprint are awarded points according to their position.
Those points are added together to form the points classification, the leader of which wears the green jersey. An all-rounder and often one of the hardest riders in the peloton; a rouleur can excel on all different terrains and often makes for an excellent domestique. Capable of stunning bursts of acceleration over short distances, the sprinters slug it out with their counterparts in the peloton on the flatter stages. This makes more of a difference than many would believe.
The physical traits of a good time-trial rider combine, to a degree, the skills of climbers and sprinters. A high VO2 max allows a rider to push harder and longer; but a heavier rider can also rely on sheer muscle force. On some time-trial courses, such as shorter prologues, technical skills, such as cornering and accelerating over uneven ground, and smooth cadence come into play more than in other stages.
But a key ingredient to a great time-trial rider is the ability to focus completely. Finding the proper "zone" and staying in it, staying focused on producing the fastest possible ride for the hour or so a TT takes is of utmost importance in a race that can be decided by seconds. Armstrong has become such a good time-trial rider because he combines all three attributes to a T. Armstrong has been unbeatable for three years -- why?
Apart from his obvious physical skills, one reason is that he has enough years of top-level cycling in his legs to withstand a three-week-long race. Younger riders rarely can perform at such a high level for so long. Another is that he relies heavily on his team -- behind sprinting, the next most important aspect of teamwork in the Tour.
Without "lieutenants" to deliver food and water, shelter them from the wind and chase down breakaway attempts, GC riders would be burned out by the time they reached a key stage, unable to perform at their best. Hierarchy does matter for best performances. At the victory line in Paris after his first Tour win, Lance Armstrong was quoted saying: "If there's one thing I say to those who use me as their example, it's that if you ever get a second chance in life, you've got to go all the way.
It's kind of unfair to compare everyone else to Armstrong when he has that kind of motivation working for him.
That motivation extends to his training, which allows him to excel in the Tour -- or any race he chooses to win. ONCE's star Beloki bestowed possibly the highest honor on Armstrong that recent cycling history allows:.
It would be great to say that I ended the reign of Armstrong, just like Riis ended the reign of Indurain. Look for this banner for recommended activities. Cancel Yes. Join Active or Sign In. All rights reserved. Go Premium. Need Help? Learn More Customer Login. Jeff Nachtigal Active. Share this article. Polka-dot — King of the Mountains Worn by the rider that has the had the best finishes and earned the most points in the mountain stages of the race.
Rider roles Climber A light rider who specializes in hilly or mountainous racing. Sprinter A powerful rider who can perform high-velocity burst finishes. Time trialist A strong endurance rider who excels at maintaining a high speed over a long period of time to win stage sprints or time trials.
Road captain An experienced rider in charge of executing the team strategy and ensuring each rider goes to the right place at the right time. Domestique A teammate who helps the protected rider, whether by sheltering them from the wind, physically buffering them from other riders or bringing more water from the team car.
Paceline When riders arrange themselves in a single or double line to gain aerodynamic shelter from the rider in front of them. Breakaway When one or more riders escape from the peloton and rides ahead of the main bunch.
Chase Riders or groups of riders who are trying to catch up with the break but are stuck between the break and the peloton. Grupetto The group of riders off the back of the peloton. Explore France Let's go! Share this article. Latest articles from Culture.
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