Mountains classification in the Tour de France facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

"Polka dot jersey" redirects here. For the jersey awarded in the Vuelta a España, see Mountains classification in the Vuelta a España.

Quick facts for kids Polka dot jersey
The 2013 polka dot jersey, worn by Pierre Rolland
Sport	Road bicycle racing
Competition	Tour de France
Given for	Best climber
Local name	Maillot à pois rouges (French)
History
First award	1933 (jersey since 1975)
Editions	82 (as of 2021)
First winner	Vicente Trueba (ESP)
Most wins	Richard Virenque (FRA) 7 wins
Most recent	Giulio Ciccone (ITA)

The mountains classification is a special competition in the Tour de France. It started in 1933. This award goes to the cyclist who earns the most points by being the first to reach the top of mountain climbs.

The leader of this competition is called the King of the Mountains. Since 1975, this rider wears a special polka dot jersey. It's a white jersey with red polka dots (in French, maillot à pois rouges).

History of the Mountain King
- Sponsors of the Jersey
- How Jerseys are Ranked
How Points are Given Now
- Points for Climbs
Is the System Fair?
Winners of the Mountain King Title
See also

History of the Mountain King

Ide Schelling wearing the polka dot jersey in 2021

The very first Tour de France races didn't have big mountain climbs. They only went over smaller hills. The first big mountain, the Ballon d'Alsace, was included in the race in 1905.

Real mountains like the Pyrenees were added in 1910. Riders had to cycle, or even walk, up tough paths like the col d'Aubisque and the Tourmalet. These were just mule tracks back then! Cyclists used heavy bikes without gears.

The highest point ever reached in the race was the Cime de la Bonette-Restefond in 1962. It's 2,802 meters (about 9,193 feet) high!

Since 1905, a newspaper called l'Auto chose the "best climber" (meilleur grimpeur). In 1933, Vicente Trueba was the first official winner of this climbing award. The Tour de France director, Henri Desgrange, wanted to reward climbers. So, they started giving bonus time to the first cyclist over a mountain top.

The famous polka dot jersey wasn't introduced until 1975. A chocolate company, Chocolat Poulain, sponsored it. They wanted a jersey that would really stand out. They chose the polka dot design because it was similar to the wrapping on their chocolate bars!

The first rider to wear the polka dot jersey in 1975 was Joop Zoetemelk. Even though he never won the King of the Mountains title, he was known as a great climber.

Sponsors of the Jersey

The polka dot design came from the first sponsor, Chocolat Poulain. Later, from 1993 to 2018, Carrefour supermarkets sponsored the jersey. Since 2019, another supermarket chain, E.Leclerc, has been the sponsor.

How Jerseys are Ranked

The polka dot jersey is the third most important jersey in the Tour de France. The yellow jersey (for the overall leader) and the green jersey (for the best sprinter) are more important.

If a rider is leading in both the overall race (yellow jersey) and the mountains classification, they will wear the yellow jersey. The polka dot jersey then goes to the second-place rider in the mountains classification.

There are a few other rules:

If the second-place rider in the mountains is also leading the "young rider" classification, they wear the white jersey instead.
If a rider is a world champion, they wear their special rainbow jersey.
In these cases, the polka dot jersey would go to the next eligible rider in the mountains classification.

How Points are Given Now

At the top of many climbs in the Tour, riders earn points for being first. Climbs are put into categories from 1 to 4. Category 1 climbs are the hardest, and Category 4 are the easiest. This is based on how steep and long they are.

Some very tough climbs are called "uncategorised" (Hors catégorie). These are even harder than Category 1 climbs! Since the 1980s, these hors catégorie climbs are like a super-category.

In 2004, the scoring system changed. For example, the first rider over a Category 4 climb gets 3 points. The first over an hors catégorie climb gets 20 points. More riders get points on harder climbs. For example, only the top three get points on a Category 4 climb, but the top ten get points on an hors catégorie climb.

Points for Climbs

Here's how points are given to riders who reach the top of a mountain first:

Point distribution grid as of 2020
Place	Cat. 4	Cat. 3	Cat. 2	Cat. 1	HC
1st	1	2	5	10	20
2nd		1	3	8	15
3rd			2	6	12
4th			1	4	10
5th				2	8
6th				1	6
7th					4
8th					2

The race organizers decide which mountains count for points and what category they are.

If two riders have the same number of points, the rider with more first-place finishes on the hardest (hors catégorie) climbs wins. If they are still tied, they compare first places on Category 1 climbs, then Category 2, and so on. If they are still tied after all categories, the rider who is higher in the overall race standings wins the jersey.

Is the System Fair?

Some people, like six-time winner Lucien Van Impe, think the mountain jersey has become less important. They say it often goes to riders who aren't trying to win the whole Tour de France. These riders might escape from the main group and collect points on smaller climbs.

However, in recent years (2020, 2021, and 2022), the winner of the mountain classification also won the entire Tour de France! This shows that strong climbers can still win both.

Winners of the Mountain King Title

Meilleurs grimpeurs (Top Climbers)

Before the official "King of the Mountains" title, the newspaper L'Auto chose the "best climber." This was an unofficial title, but it was the start of the mountain classification.

		Rider	Team
1905		Pottier, ReneRené Pottier
1906		Pottier, ReneRené Pottier
1907		Georget, EmileEmile Georget
1908		Garrigou, GustaveGustave Garrigou
1909		Faber, FrancoisFrançois Faber
1910		Lapize, OctaveOctave Lapize
1911		Duboc, PaulPaul Duboc
1912		Defraeye, OdielOdiel Defraeye
1913		Thys, PhilippePhilippe Thys
1914		Lambot, FirminFirmin Lambot
1919		Barthelemy, HonoreHonoré Barthélemy
1920		Lambot, FirminFirmin Lambot
1921		Heusghem, HectorHector Heusghem
1922		Alavoine, JeanJean Alavoine
1923		Pelissier, HenriHenri Pélissier
1924		Bottecchia, OttavioOttavio Bottecchia
1925		Bottecchia, OttavioOttavio Bottecchia
1926		Buysse, LucienLucien Buysse
1927		Gordini, Giovanni-MicheleGiovanni-Michele Gordini
1928		Fontan, VictorVictor Fontan
1929		Fontan, VictorVictor Fontan
1930		Faure, BenoitBenoît Fauré
1931		Demuysere, JosephJoseph Demuysere
1932		Trueba, VicenteVicente Trueba

Mountains Classification Winners

These are the official winners of the mountains classification.

	Rider
1933	Trueba, VicenteVicente Trueba	Touriste-routier
1934	Vietto, ReneRené Vietto	France
1935	Vervaecke, FelicienFélicien Vervaecke	Belgium
1936	Berrendero, JuliánJulián Berrendero	Spain–Luxembourg
1937	Vervaecke, FelicienFélicien Vervaecke	Belgium
1938	Bartali, GinoGino Bartali	Italy
1939	Maes, SylvèreSylvère Maes	Belgium
1947	Brambilla, PierrePierre Brambilla	Italy
1948	Bartali, GinoGino Bartali	Italy
1949	Coppi, FaustoFausto Coppi	Italy
1950	Bobet, LouisonLouison Bobet	France
1951	Geminiani, RaphaelRaphaël Géminiani	France
1952	Coppi, FaustoFausto Coppi	Italy
1953	Loroño, JesusJesús Loroño	Spain
1954	Bahamontes, FedericoFederico Bahamontes	Spain
1955	Gaul, CharlyCharly Gaul	Luxembourg–Mixed
1956	Gaul, CharlyCharly Gaul	Luxembourg–Mixed
1957	Nencini, GastoneGastone Nencini	Italy
1958	Bahamontes, FedericoFederico Bahamontes	Spain
1959	Bahamontes, FedericoFederico Bahamontes	Spain
1960	Massignan, ImerioImerio Massignan	Italy
1961	Massignan, ImerioImerio Massignan	Italy
1962	Bahamontes, FedericoFederico Bahamontes	Margnat–Paloma–D'Alessandro
1963	Bahamontes, FedericoFederico Bahamontes	Margnat–Paloma–Dunlop
1964	Bahamontes, FedericoFederico Bahamontes	Margnat–Paloma–Dunlop
1965	Jimenez, JulioJulio Jimenez	Kas–Kaskol
1966	Jimenez, JulioJulio Jimenez	Ford France–Hutchinson
1967	Jimenez, JulioJulio Jimenez	Spain
1968	Gonzalez, AurelioAurelio Gonzalez	Spain
1969	Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx	Faema
1970	Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx	Faemino–Faema
1971	Van Impe, LucienLucien Van Impe	Sonolor–Lejeune
1972	Van Impe, LucienLucien Van Impe	Sonolor–Lejeune
1973	Torres, PedroPedro Torres	La Casera–Peña Bahamontes
1974	Perurena, DomingoDomingo Perurena	Kas–Kaskol
1975	Van Impe, LucienLucien Van Impe	Gitane–Campagnolo
1976	Bellini, GiancarloGiancarlo Bellini	Brooklyn
1977	Van Impe, LucienLucien Van Impe	Lejeune–BP
1978	Martinez, MarianoMariano Martínez	Jobo–Spidel–La Roue d'Or
1979	Battaglin, GiovanniGiovanni Battaglin	Inoxpran
1980	Martin, RaymondRaymond Martin	Miko–Mercier–Vivagel
1981	Van Impe, LucienLucien Van Impe	Boston–Mavic
1982	Vallet, BernardBernard Vallet	La Redoute–Motobécane
1983	Van Impe, LucienLucien Van Impe	Metauro Mobili–Pinarello
1984	Millar, RobertRobert Millar	Peugeot–Shell–Michelin
1985	Herrera, LuisLuis Herrera	Varta–Café de Colombia–Mavic
1986	Hinault, BernardBernard Hinault	La Vie Claire
1987	Herrera, LuisLuis Herrera	Café de Colombia–Varta
1988	Rooks, StevenSteven Rooks	PDM–Ultima–Concorde
1989	Theunisse, Gert-JanGert-Jan Theunisse	PDM–Ultima–Concorde
1990	Claveyrolat, ThierryThierry Claveyrolat	RMO
1991	Chiappucci, ClaudioClaudio Chiappucci	Carrera Jeans–Tassoni
1992	Chiappucci, ClaudioClaudio Chiappucci	Carrera Jeans–Vagabond
1993	Rominger, TonyTony Rominger	CLAS–Cajastur
1994	Virenque, RichardRichard Virenque	Festina–Lotus
1995	Virenque, RichardRichard Virenque	Festina–Lotus
1996	Virenque, RichardRichard Virenque	Festina–Lotus
1997	Virenque, RichardRichard Virenque	Festina–Lotus
1998	Rinero, ChristopheChristophe Rinero	Cofidis
1999	Virenque, RichardRichard Virenque	Team Polti
2000	Botero, SantiagoSantiago Botero	Kelme–Costa Blanca
2001	Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert	CSC–Tiscali
2002	Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert	CSC–Tiscali
2003	Virenque, RichardRichard Virenque	Quick-Step–Davitamon
2004	Virenque, RichardRichard Virenque	Quick-Step–Davitamon
2005	Rasmussen, MichaelMichael Rasmussen	Rabobank
2006	Rasmussen, MichaelMichael Rasmussen	Rabobank
2007	Soler, MauricioMauricio Soler	Barloworld
2008	~~Kohl, BernhardBernhard Kohl~~ Sastre, CarlosCarlos Sastre	CSC–Saxo Bank
2009	~~Pellizotti, FrancoFranco Pellizotti~~ Martínez, EgoiEgoi Martínez	Euskaltel–Euskadi
2010	Charteau, AnthonyAnthony Charteau	Bbox Bouygues Telecom
2011	Sánchez, SamuelSamuel Sánchez	Euskaltel–Euskadi
2012	Voeckler, ThomasThomas Voeckler	Team Europcar
2013	Quintana, NairoNairo Quintana	Movistar Team
2014	Majka, RafałRafał Majka	Tinkoff–Saxo
2015	Froome, ChrisChris Froome	Team Sky
2016	Majka, RafałRafał Majka	Tinkoff
2017	Barguil, WarrenWarren Barguil	Team Sunweb
2018	Alaphilippe, JulianJulian Alaphilippe	Quick-Step Floors
2019	Bardet, RomainRomain Bardet	AG2R La Mondiale
2020	Pogačar, TadejTadej Pogačar	UAE Team Emirates
2021	Pogačar, TadejTadej Pogačar	UAE Team Emirates
2022	Vingegaard, JonasJonas Vingegaard	Team Jumbo–Visma
2023	Ciccone, GiulioGiulio Ciccone	Lidl–Trek

Riders with Multiple Wins

This table shows cyclists who have won the King of the Mountains title more than once.

Rank	Name	Country	Wins	Years
1	Richard Virenque	France	7	1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004
2	Federico Bahamontes	Spain	6	1954, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964
2	Lucien Van Impe	Belgium	6	1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983
4	Julio Jiménez	Spain	3	1965, 1966, 1967
5	Felicien Vervaecke	Belgium	2	1935, 1937
	Gino Bartali	Italy		1938, 1948
	Fausto Coppi	Italy		1949, 1952
	Charly Gaul	Luxembourg		1955, 1956
	Imerio Massignan	Italy		1960, 1961
	Eddy Merckx	Belgium		1969, 1970
	Luis Herrera	Colombia		1985, 1987
	Claudio Chiappucci	Italy		1991, 1992
	Laurent Jalabert	France		2001, 2002
	Michael Rasmussen	Denmark		2005, 2006
	Rafał Majka	Poland		2014, 2016
	Tadej Pogačar	Slovenia		2020, 2021

Wins by Country

This table shows how many times riders from each country have won the mountains classification.

Rank	Country	Wins	Riders winning most	Most recent winner
1	France	23	Richard Virenque (7)	Romain Bardet (2019)
2	Spain	18	Federico Bahamontes (6)	Samuel Sánchez (2011)
3	Italy	13	Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Imerio Massignan, Claudio Chiappucci (2 each)	Giulio Ciccone (2023)
4	Belgium	11	Lucien Van Impe (6)	Lucien Van Impe (1983)
5	Colombia	5	Luis Herrera (2)	Nairo Quintana (2013)
6	Denmark	3	Michael Rasmussen (2)	Jonas Vingegaard (2022)
7	Luxembourg	2	Charly Gaul (2)	Charly Gaul (1956)
	Netherlands		Steven Rooks, Gert-Jan Theunisse	Gert-Jan Theunisse (1989)
	United Kingdom		Robert Millar, Chris Froome	Chris Froome (2015)
	Poland		Rafał Majka (2)	Rafał Majka (2016)
	Slovenia		Tadej Pogačar (2)	Tadej Pogačar (2021)
12	Switzerland	1	Tony Rominger	Tony Rominger (1993)

Winning Both General and Mountain Classifications

Some amazing cyclists have won both the overall race (the yellow jersey) and the mountains classification in the same year.

In the early years of the Tour, it was more common for the same rider to win both. This is because only the hardest mountains gave points. Riders who were good enough to win the whole Tour were also usually good at climbing. Later, the rules changed to give points on easier mountains too. This meant other riders could focus on just the mountains classification.

In 1969, Eddy Merckx had an incredible year. He won the overall race, the mountains classification, and even the points classification (for sprinters)!

Here are the cyclists who won both the overall and mountain classifications in the same year:

Days in the Polka Dot Jersey

This table shows how many days riders have spent leading the mountains classification. The polka dot jersey itself started in 1975.

Rider	Days in jersey (after 1975)	Total days leading (since 1933)
Richard Virenque	96	96
Lucien Van Impe	74	94
Federico Bahamontes	0	77
Julio Jimenez	0	43
Eddy Merckx	0	40
Domingo Perurena	0	30
Gino Bartali	0	30
Claudio Chiappucci	27	27
Michael Rasmussen	27	27
Félicien Vervaecke	0	27
Luis Herrera	26	26

Riders Leading All Stages in One Tour

Sometimes, a rider leads the mountain classification for almost the entire race.

Before 1975 (No Jersey)

Before 1975, there was no polka dot jersey. But some riders led the classification from the first stage where points were given, all the way to the end.

Félicien Vervaecke in 1935
Gino Bartali in 1938
Fausto Coppi in 1949
Federico Bahamontes in 1954
Federico Bahamontes in 1958
Federico Bahamontes in 1963

After 1975 (With Jersey)

No rider has worn the polka dot jersey for every single stage of a Tour de France since 1975. However, Lucien Van Impe wore it for 25 out of 28 stages in 1977. Bernard Vallet led the classification in all 21 main stages in 1982, but not after the very first short race (the prologue).