Polka dot jersey facts for kids
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The polka dot jersey is a special award in the Tour de France, a famous bicycle race. It's given to the best climber, also known as the "King of the Mountains". This jersey is white with bright red dots, like polka dots! It also has a spot for the winning cyclist's team logo.
Contents
The Polka Dot Jersey
What is the King of the Mountains?
The King of the Mountains is the cyclist who earns the most points on the uphill parts of the race. These are called "hill-climbing sections." Cyclists get points for being among the first to reach the top of a hill or mountain.
How Points Are Scored
The harder a climb is, the more points a cyclist can earn. How difficult a climb is depends on two things:
- How long the climb is.
- How steep the road is.
So, a very long and steep mountain climb gives many more points than a short, gentle hill.
History of the Jersey
The competition for the King of the Mountains started in the Tour de France in 1933. However, the famous polka dot jersey itself was not introduced until 1975. Before that, there was no special jersey for the best climber.
Famous Winners
Many great cyclists have won the polka dot jersey. Richard Virenque holds the record, having won it seven times! More recently, Rafał Majka won it in 2014. In 2015, Daniel Teklehaimanot from Eritrea made history. He became the first African cyclist to wear the polka dot jersey.
 Tour de France Maillot Grimpeur (Polka dot jersey) winners |
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1933 Trueba | 1934 Vietto | 1935 Vervaecke | 1936 Berrendero | 1937 Vervaecke | 1938 Bartali | 1939 Maes | 1947 Brambilla | 1948 Bartali | 1949 Coppi | 1950 Bobet | 1951 Géminiani | 1952 Coppi | 1953 Lorono | 1954 Bahamontes | 1955 Gaul | 1956 Gaul | 1957 Nencini | 1958 Bahamontes | 1959 Bahamontes | 1960 Massignan | 1961 Massignan | 1962 Bahamontes | 1963 Bahamontes | 1964 Bahamontes | 1965 Jimenez | 1966 Jimenez | 1967 Jimenez | 1968 Gonzalez | 1969 Merckx | 1970 Merckx | 1971 Van Impe | 1972 Van Impe | 1973 Torres | 1974 Perurena | 1975 Van Impe | 1976 Bellini | 1977 Van Impe | 1978 Martinez | 1979 Battaglin | 1980 Martin | 1981 Van Impe | 1982 Vallet | 1983 Van Impe | 1984 Millar | 1985 Herrera | 1986 Hinault | 1987 Herrera | 1988 Rooks | 1989 Theunisse | 1990 Claveyrolat | 1991 Chiappucci | 1992 Chiappucci | 1993 Rominger | 1994 Virenque | 1995 Virenque | 1996 Virenque | 1997 Virenque | 1998 Rinero | 1999 Virenque | 2000 Botero | 2001 Jalabert | 2002 Jalabert | 2003 Virenque | 2004 Virenque | 2005 Rasmussen | 2006 Rasmussen | 2007 Soler | 2008 Kohl, disqualified | 2009 Pelizotti, disqualified | 2010 Charteau | 2011 Sánchez | 2012 Voeckler | 2013 Quintana | 2014 Majka |
Images for kids
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Ide Schelling in the 2021 polka dot jersey
See also
In Spanish: Gran Premio de la montaña en el Tour de Francia para niños
