Classification Jerseys

Jerseys wearers (from left: green, yellow, polka dots, white)
await the start of stage four of the 2010 Tour de France
from Cambrai to Reims on July 7, 2010.
Image Credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images at Yahoo

Picture shows yellow jersey of overall leader, Green jersey of Best Sprinter,
Polka dot jersey of Best Climber and White Jersey of Best Young Rider,
displayed in front of a France map on July 7, 2010 in Cambrai,
Northern France before the start of the 153,5 km and fourth stage
of the 2010 Tour de France cycling racerun between Cambrai and Reims.
Image Credit: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo

There are several classifications which riders and teams can win after each stage. Together with cash awards, the winners are given jerseys to wear during the next stage (see images to the right).

Jersey icon key:
General classification (GC) fastest time leader (yellow jersey / maillot jaune)
Sprints points leader (green jersey / maillot vert)
Mountains points leader [white & red (polka) dotted jersey / maillot à pois rouges]
Young Rider time leader (white jersey / maillot blanc)
Team total least time leader
Most aggressive rider award / prix de la combativité

System for the Award of Stage / Sprint Points

The maillot vert (green jersey) is awarded for sprint points. At the end of each stage, points are earned by the riders who finish first, second, etc. Points are higher for flat stages, as sprints are more likely, and less for mountain stages, where climbers usually win. In the current rules, there are five types of stages: flat stages, intermediates stages, mountain stages, individual time trial stages and team time trial stages. The number of points awarded at the end of each stage are:

Flat stages

35, 30, 26, 24, 22, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points are awarded to the first 25 riders across the finish line.

 

Intermediate stages

25, 22, 20, 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points are awarded to the first 20 riders across the finish line.

 

High-mountain stages

20, 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points are awarded to the first 15 riders across the finish line.

 

Time-trials

15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points are awarded to the top 10 finishers of the stage.

Sprints at points within a race: In addition, stages can have intermediate sprints in which 6, 4, and 2 points are awarded to the first three.

In case of a tie, the number of stage wins determine the green jersey, then the number of intermediate sprint victories, and finally, the rider's standing in the general classification. The points competition began in 1953, to mark the 50th anniversary. It was called the Grand Prix du Cinquentenaire and was won by Fritz Schaer of Switzerland. The first sponsor was La Belle Jardinière. The current sponsor is Pari Mutuel Urbain, a state betting company.

System for the Award of King of the Mountain Points

The difficulty of a climb is established by its steepness, length and its position on the course. The easiest are graded 4, most of the hardest as 1 and the exceptionally tough (such as the Tourmalet) are listed as being  beyond classification, or hors catégorie. Notable hors catégorie peaks include the col du Tourmalet, Mont Ventoux, col du Galibier, the climb to the ski resort of Hautacam, and Alpe d'Huez.
Super tough climbs rated "hors catégorie" (HC): 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6 and 5.
Category 1: 15, 13, 11, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.
Category 2: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5.
Category 3: 4, 3, 2 and 1.
Category 4: 3, 2 and 1.
For the last climb of a stage, points are doubled for HC and categories one and two.