General classification
Below is an old version of an explation about the general classification. For a more complete version that I tried to keep up-to-date, see my book about Tour statistics and rules.
History
In the 1903 Tour de France, the general classification was 'invented'. I can not imagine that simply adding the stage times was revolutionary, but maybe it was within the sport of cycling.
In 1905, it changed to a points system, see the analysis of the effects of the points system.
In 1914, it changed back to a time classification, and has stayed ever since.
Rules
For the calculation of the general classification (on time), the following calculation is done:
- For each rider, add the times in each individual stage that they needed to come from start to finish.
- If a team time trial was used, follow the rules of that year. (The rules varied a lot.)
- Subtract time bonuses won at finish lines, if applicable.
- Subtract time bonuses won at intermediate sprints, if applicable.
- Subtract time bonuses won at mountain passes, if applicable.
- Add penalties, if applicable.
This all is reported rounded to seconds. If two or more riders are tied in time, their order is determined as follows (see for example the (rules of 2011):
- If a prologue was used, compare the exact time measured to a hundredth of a second. The rider with the lowest time is higher in the general classification.
- If riders are still tied, add the stage positions in all stages. The rider with the lowest sum is ranked higher in the general classification.
- If riders are then still tied, look at the result of the last stage. The rider who finished first in that last stage is ranked higher in the general classification.
Jersey
In 1919, the yellow jersey was handed out to the leader from the ninth stageg onwards. In 1920 again after the ninth stage, and from then on after every stage.
Sponsor
The yellow jersey has had different sponsors:
- 1969–1970:
- Virlux
- 1971–1983:
- Miko
- 1984–1986:
- Banania
- 1987–2010:
- Credit lyonnais
