If you are a newcomer to the world of professional cycling and have recently started watching grand tour races on television, then there may well be some confusion over what all the riders are actually racing for, and what the different jerseys that they are awarded actually mean. Road bike racing is best understood as consisting of several races within a race. This means that there are different things to race for between riders with differing specialities.
The General Classification is the perhaps the most glamorous and famous of the various things to win in a bike race. The jersey which is awarded the winner of the General Classification is accorded the most recognition, as it is the rider who has finished the whole tour in the shortest time. In the Tour de France, this jersey is yellow, while it is red in the Vuelta a Espana.
The General Classification is usually competed for by all-round strong riders, but there are other jerseys to race for for riders who have more specialist skills. Each grand tour is divided into stages which take place on each day of the race. Some riders will compete to win stages, and to record as many stage wins as possible during a tour.
Stage wins mean that points are awarded to riders, with other points awarded to riders who place during the stage. Other points are available along the route for so-called 'interim sprints', where the first rider who passes nominated points along the course is awarded points. Riders accumulate points throughout the race and the competitor with the most points wins another jersey, usually green.
Other riders with exceptional endurance and strength compete for the King of the Mountains jersey in the grand tours of the sport. Rider win this jersey by being awarded points for being the first rider to pass certain points on the hilly sections of the stage. Any rider who accumulates enough of these mountain points will be awarded the King of the Mountains jersey, which is a red on white polka dot jersey for the Tour de France.
These three jerseys are the main ones which riders compete for the in the great endurance road races of the sport. For other riders though, there are still important contributions to make to your team's success. Every yellow or green jersey contender needs help from hard working team mates, often referred to as 'domestiques'.
This is where the riders known as 'domestiques' come into their own. While the role may sound unglamorous, it is one of the most important jobs in cycling. These riders are hard-working team members who pace the jersey contenders into position. They drive sprinters towards the line on flat, fast finishes, and help contenders for the General Classification stay in contention on long climbs and testing stretches of the course.
These layers of competition help to give cycling its global appeal and wide reach. It is a thrilling sport in which to compete, as well as to watch, with complexity and simplicity combining beautifully. There is always something to race for in cycling.
The General Classification is the perhaps the most glamorous and famous of the various things to win in a bike race. The jersey which is awarded the winner of the General Classification is accorded the most recognition, as it is the rider who has finished the whole tour in the shortest time. In the Tour de France, this jersey is yellow, while it is red in the Vuelta a Espana.
The General Classification is usually competed for by all-round strong riders, but there are other jerseys to race for for riders who have more specialist skills. Each grand tour is divided into stages which take place on each day of the race. Some riders will compete to win stages, and to record as many stage wins as possible during a tour.
Stage wins mean that points are awarded to riders, with other points awarded to riders who place during the stage. Other points are available along the route for so-called 'interim sprints', where the first rider who passes nominated points along the course is awarded points. Riders accumulate points throughout the race and the competitor with the most points wins another jersey, usually green.
Other riders with exceptional endurance and strength compete for the King of the Mountains jersey in the grand tours of the sport. Rider win this jersey by being awarded points for being the first rider to pass certain points on the hilly sections of the stage. Any rider who accumulates enough of these mountain points will be awarded the King of the Mountains jersey, which is a red on white polka dot jersey for the Tour de France.
These three jerseys are the main ones which riders compete for the in the great endurance road races of the sport. For other riders though, there are still important contributions to make to your team's success. Every yellow or green jersey contender needs help from hard working team mates, often referred to as 'domestiques'.
This is where the riders known as 'domestiques' come into their own. While the role may sound unglamorous, it is one of the most important jobs in cycling. These riders are hard-working team members who pace the jersey contenders into position. They drive sprinters towards the line on flat, fast finishes, and help contenders for the General Classification stay in contention on long climbs and testing stretches of the course.
These layers of competition help to give cycling its global appeal and wide reach. It is a thrilling sport in which to compete, as well as to watch, with complexity and simplicity combining beautifully. There is always something to race for in cycling.
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