Yellow? Green? White? Polka dot? What do all these jerseys mean during the Tour de France? Well, it's not just a fashion statement the cyclists are making as they cycle across Europe. 

It's a cycling statement. 

The most prestigious event in cycling begins July 1 in Bilbao, Spain. The Tour de France 2023 route will take 176 cyclists through 21 stages and finish at the Champ-Élysées in Paris.  Winning the Tour de France can be considered the biggest accomplishment a cyclist can make in their career as the race holds a rich history having occurred almost every year since 1903. 

But wearing a certain jersey during a stage can make the career for some. 

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Over the past few decades, crowds come together to follow cyclists as they trek across Europe. In the sea of cyclists, it's difficult to keep track of your favorite competitors. The Tour de France uses a color system to identify leaders through different classifications. 

There are four colors to watch for: yellow, green, polka dot, and white. Here is what every jersey color means. 

Tour de France Yellow Jersey Meaning 

Maillot Jaune 

The signature yellow jersey is the most recognizable visual of the Tour de France. 

Since 1919 every champion has arrived at the Champ-Élysées wearing the same yellow color. This jersey marks the overall leader of the race. At the end of every stage a leader is determined by a system based on time. The total amount of time taken to finish that stage is counted and then added to the cumulative time of all previous races. 

And you can even wear a yellow jersey, or win the Tour de France overall, but never win a stage. 

Yellow Jersey History

The color was created so crowds could easily identify the general classification leader. Eugène Christophe was the first rider awarded the jersey at the 1919 Tour de France. Prior to this, the Tour de France did not have a jersey system in place. Eddy Merckx holds the record for most yellow jerseys (96). 

Here are the riders who have worn the yellow jerseys the most throughout their career. 

• Eddy Merckx - 96 
• Bernard Hinault - 75
• Miguel Indurain - 60
• Chris Froome - 59
• Jacques Anquetil - 50

Tour de France Green Jersey Meaning

Maillot Verde 

Referred to as the “Sprinters Jersey” this is awarded to the rider who leads the point classification. Not to be confused with the general classification leader (yellow jersey), this color marks the “sprinters” of the group. 

Points are awarded to the first 15 riders to cross the finish line at the end of every stage. The fastest of this group earns the green jersey. Leading the point classification does not automatically mean you lead the general classification - though does occur often. In this case, the green top is worn by the rider in second place. 

Green Jersey History

The Green Jersey celebrates the fire and grit of the cyclist. The color was introduced in 1953 to celebrate the Tour de France’s 50th anniversary. Fritz Schär is the first rider to earn the jersey. Peter Sagan holds the record with seven green jerseys in his career. 

Tour De France Polka Dot Jersey, White with Red 

Maillot à Pois Rouges

“King of the Mountains”, this jersey is awarded to the leader of the Mountain Classifications. There are three main types of terrain on the Tour de France Route: Hilly, Flat, and Mountain. Each stage varies in terrain and distance for the riders to trek through. Points are given to the rider who reaches the summit of the mountains first.

The Tour de France introduced this jersey as a symbol to celebrate courageous riders who push beyond their limits.

Polka Dot Jersey History 

The polka dot jersey was first introduced in 1975 and was first awarded to Joop Zoetemelk. Richard Virenque holds the record having won it seven times.

Here are the winners of the Polka dot jersey for the past five years. From 2020-2022 the winners of the polka dot jersey also won the Tour de France. 

• 2022 - Jonas Vingegaard
• 2021- Tadej Pogačar
• 2020 - Tadej Pogačar
• 2019 - Romain Bardet
• 2018 - Julian Alaphilippe

Tour de France White Jersey Meaning

Maillot Blanc

“The Leader in Waiting,” signified by the white jersey, is awarded to the fastest cyclist under the age of 26. The purpose of this jersey is to celebrate the spirit young riders bring to the Tour de France.

White Jersey History

This color was introduced in 1968 to identify the leader of the combined classification. This changed in 1975 to be awarded to the leader of the youth classification. Italian Cyclist, Francesco Moser, is the first rider to be awarded the white jersey under the new classification. For many young riders, earning a white jersey feels all the same as a yellow one. 

Tadej Pogačar is taking over the youth classification with three consecutive wins under his belt.  Two of which overlap with overall first-place victories. 

White jersey winners of the last five years: 

• 2022 - Tadej Pogačar
• 2021 -  Tadej Pogačar
• 2020 - Tadej Pogačar
• 2019 - Egan Bernal 
• 2018 - Pierre Latour

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Tour de France Teams 

There are 22 teams and a total of 176 competitors in this year’s Tour de France:

UCI WorldTeams

• AG2R Citroën Team | Fra
• Alpecin Deceuninck | Bel
• Astana Qazaqstan Team | Kaz
• Bora-Hansgrohe | Ger
• EF Education-Easypost | Usa
• Groupama-FDJ | Fra
• Ineos Grenadiers | Gbr
• Intermarché-Circus-Wanty | Bel
• Jumbo-Visma | Ned
• Movistar Team | Esp
• Soudal Quick-Step | Bel
• Team Arkea-Samsic | Fra
• Team Bahrain Victorious | Brn
• Team Cofidis | Fra
• Team DSM | Ned
• Team Jayco AlUla | Aus
• Trek-Segafredo | Usa
• UAE Team Emirates | Uae

UCI ProTeams

• Lotto Dstny | Bel
• TotalEnergies | Fra
• Israel-Premier Tech | Isr
• Uno-X Pro Cycling Team | Nor

When Does Tour de France 2023 Start?

The Tour de France is a 21 day event starting on July 1 through July 23. Every day the cyclists start together to complete the stage of a race. Every stage varies in distance and physical demand. 

Here is the complete schedule for the Tour de France 2023 Route

How To Watch Tour de France USA

A live broadcast will be available on NBC and Peacock. FloBikes will provide updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the entire event.

How To Watch Tour de France Canada 

FloBikes will provide a live broadcast for Canadian audiences.