King Of The Mountain Shirt Tour De France
The Tour De France is the most prestigious cycling race in the world, attracting some of the best professional riders from across the globe. One of the most coveted accolades in the Tour De France is The King of the Mountain title, represented by the Polka Dot Jersey. In this article, we will explore the history, significance, and rules of The King of the Mountain competition, as well as the iconic Polka Dot Jersey.
The History of The King of the Mountain Competition
The Tour De France was first held in 1903, but it wasn't until 1933 that The King of the Mountain competition was introduced. The competition was designed to reward climbers and to celebrate the mountainous terrain that the Tour De France passed through. The first rider to win The King of the Mountain title was Vicente Trueba from Spain.
Since then, The King of the Mountain competition has become an integral part of the Tour De France, with riders aiming to gain this coveted title every year. The competition rewards the best climber in the race, with points given to the first few riders to reach the top of designated mountain climbs along the route.
The Significance of The Polka Dot Jersey
The Polka Dot Jersey was first introduced in 1975 and has since become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Tour De France. The Jersey was designed to represent the mountainous terrain of the race, featuring large white spots on a red background. The design was created by the French clothing company Le Coq Sportif, who still provide the Jersey to this day.
The Polka Dot Jersey is awarded to the rider with the most points in The King of the Mountain competition. The rider who wears the Jersey is known as The King of the Mountains and is an esteemed title among Tour De France fans and riders alike.
The Rules of The King of the Mountain Competition
The King of the Mountain competition is based on the accumulation of points awarded for reaching the summit of designated climbs first. The points awarded depend on the difficulty of the climb, with harder climbs awarding more points.
Points are awarded to the first few riders to reach the summit of each categorised climb, with the number of points depending on the category of the climb. The categories range from Category 4 climbs, which are the easiest, to Hors Category climbs, which are the hardest.
The rider with the most points at the end of the Tour De France is awarded The King of the Mountain title and the iconic Polka Dot Jersey.
The Riders Who Have Won The King of the Mountains Multiple Times
Over the years, there have been many riders who have won The King of the Mountain competition multiple times, cementing their place as some of the best climbers in the history of the Tour De France.
The rider with the most King of the Mountain wins is Richard Virenque from France, who won the competition a staggering seven times between 1994 and 2004. Other riders who have won the competition multiple times include Lucien Van Impe, Federico Bahamontes, and Charly Gaul.
The Importance of The King of the Mountain Competition in The Tour De France
The King of the Mountain competition is one of the most important competitions in the Tour De France, as it celebrates the climbers who are able to conquer the challenging mountain climbs that are an integral part of the race.
The competition also adds an extra layer of excitement to the race, as riders battle it out to be the first to reach the tops of the climbs and gain valuable points towards The Polka Dot Jersey.
Conclusion
The King of the Mountain competition and The Polka Dot Jersey are integral parts of the Tour De France, celebrating the climbers who are able to conquer the challenging mountainous terrain of the race. The Jersey is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Tour De France and is worn by some of the best climbers in the world. The competition adds an extra layer of excitement to the race, making the Tour De France one of the most exciting and challenging cycling races in the world.
