Karen- The jerseys each have significance and it is confusing your first year to figure those out! I hope the following run down helps, I am trying to explain it after waking in the night feeling ill.


Yellow- The overall race leader. Also refered to as the Maillot Jaune (I think I got the spelling right). So yes, this is the one to get.

Polka Dots- King of the Mountains. The get points for being the first (second, third...) over certain mountains/hills. For some guys this is the jersey they want because they are not riding for the GC (general classification).

Green- Sprinter jersey. You probably haven't seen much of this one lately. They get points for designated sprints like the mountains. The guys who pride themselves on being sprinters (Robbie McEwen, Thor Hurshovd, Tom Boonen) want this jersey.

White- Best Young Rider. I think they have to be 25 or younger to qualify for this award. I guess it is close to rookie of the year, but based off age and not how many times they ride.

And not to confuse you more, but some have special jerseys based on other awards. If they are the National Champion of their home country, they might have a jersey to signify that. Tom Boonen (who left the race a couple days ago) is the World Champion and has a white jersey with rainbow stripes to show that, even though his team jersey is blue and white.

Now the yellow helmet/bike/shorts etc... This is up to the individual. Some guys go all out and have the special items to match their jersey. Last year the King of Mountains had a Polka Dot bike at the end of the race. In years past, Lance has gone all out on his ride through the streets of Paris. Floyd Landis will not be on the yellow bike tomorrow.

Each rider has many bikes from their team to ride. You have probably seen the cars loaded with bikes during the race. They sometimes switch bikes due to mechanical problems or other reasons, so they are not always riding the same bike.

Final part of this long post... It is okay to find a slow guy and like him! They even give an award to the last place guy in Paris. I am not sure they want this, but the give a red lantern. Sadly, the last place guys can still kick my butt on any given day. They seem slow, but they are definitely pro cyclists.