King Of The Mountain Jersey Tour De France
The Tour De France is one of the most exciting and challenging cycling races in the world. This grueling competition covers more than 2,000 miles over 21 stages, with cyclists battling it out for the coveted yellow jersey. But there is another jersey that holds just as much prestige - the King of the Mountain jersey.
What Is The King of The Mountain Jersey?
The King of the Mountain jersey is awarded to the best climber of the Tour De France. Points are awarded to cyclists who reach the top of designated climbs first, with the harder climbs worth more points.
The King of the Mountain jersey was first introduced in 1933, and has become one of the most hotly contested jerseys in the Tour De France. Cyclists who excel at climbing - or who have a particularly strong mountain stage - often aim to win this jersey, even if they are not in contention for the overall yellow jersey.
How Is The King of The Mountain Jersey Won?
Points are awarded for the first cyclists to reach the top of a designated climb, with the harder climbs worth more points. The number of points awarded depends on the difficulty of the climb and its position within the stage.
The first cyclist to reach the top of a category 1 climb, for example, will be awarded 10 points. Category 2 climbs are worth 5 points, category 3 climbs are worth 2 points, and category 4 climbs are worth 1 point. There are also intermediate sprints during mountain stages, which offer bonus points to the first cyclists to cross the line.
At the end of each stage, the cyclists with the most points are awarded the King of the Mountain jersey. If two or more cyclists are tied on points, the cyclist who reached the highest category climb first will be awarded the jersey.
Why Is The King of The Mountain Jersey Important?
The King of the Mountain jersey is important because it rewards cyclists who excel at climbing - a key part of the Tour De France. The climbers who win this jersey are often some of the most celebrated riders of the competition, and their victories will be remembered for years to come.
Beyond that, the King of the Mountain jersey is a coveted prize in its own right. Many cyclists view it as an achievement in itself, and will fight hard to win it even if they know they cannot win the overall race.
Notable Winners of The King of The Mountain Jersey
There have been many notable winners of the King of the Mountain jersey over the years. Here are just a few:
- Richard Virenque: The French cyclist won the King of the Mountain jersey seven times between 1994 and 2004, cementing his place as one of the best climbers in Tour De France history.
- Lance Armstrong: The controversial American cyclist won the King of the Mountain jersey once, in 2000. This was just one of his many victories in the Tour De France.
- Lucien Van Impe: The Belgian cyclist won the King of the Mountain jersey six times between 1971 and 1983, and is considered one of the greatest climbers in Tour De France history.
The King of The Mountain Jersey Today
The King of the Mountain jersey remains a key part of the Tour De France, and is still hotly contested by the best climbers in the competition. The most recent winner of the jersey is Tadej Pogacar, who won it during the 2020 Tour De France.
As the Tour De France continues to grow in popularity, the King of the Mountain jersey will remain a symbol of excellence and achievement for the best climbers in the competition. Whether you are a casual fan or a die-hard cycling enthusiast, this is one jersey that is worth watching out for.
