Young rider classification
Below is an old version of my explanation of the young rider classification. For a more complete story that I tried to keep up-to-date, see my book about Tour de France rules and statistics.
- » Origin
- » Eligibility
- » Graph
- » Future of winners
Eindstanden/tussenstanden
I have made an calculation of the young rider classification after every stage. Be aware that it is not 100% accurate: not all times are fully known, and I don't know for all riders before 1983 with full certainty if they were eligible or not.
Origin
Already before the introduction of the young rider classification, there were special prizes for young riders. For example the Prix René unan, for the youngest rider that finished the Tour, to remember Dunan who died in 1961. This prize was used in 1962, 1963 and 1964.
In 1968, there was the "golden arryw", a prize for the best neo-professional. In 1970, the Grand Prix des Jeunes was used, and won by Mogens Frey. Final positions: (source):
- Mogens Frey: 77
- Joop Zoetemelk: 67
- Lucien van Impe: 36
- Jimenez: 36
- Gonzalez-Linares: 33
- Thomas Petterson: 31
- Zubero: 27
- Gosta Petterson: 22
- Danguillaume: 21
- Van Katwijk: 18
The Grand Prix des Jeunes was used again in 1971, but no longer as classification. Now, a prize was given at the end of every stage.
In 1975, the young rider classification was introduced, with the white jersey for its leader.
Eligibility
The young rider classification is won by the best young rider in the general classification. But when exactly does a rider count as "young"? The rules about this have changed over the years.
From 1975 to 1982
Initially, a rider needed to be a neo-professional to be eligible. To be a neo-professional, you needed to be younger than 23 at 1 July, or be in the first or second year in your professional career.(source) In 1978, 34 riders were eligible.
From 1983 to 1986
In the Tour de France from 1983 to 1986, a rider was eligible if it was their first participation in the Tour de France. In those years, it was also known as the debutant classification. (source)
After 1987
After 1987, the young rider classification was open for riders below 25, counted at 1 January. Several years later, the cut-off age increased to 26.(rules 2007) (rules 2004) (Rules 2005, article 25d) (Rules 2006, article 24d) (Rules 2007) (Rules 2008, article 24d)
Graph
I have also made a ranking of leaders of the young rider classification.
Future of winners
This information was updated after the Tour de France of 2025.
Sponsor
- 1975–1976:
- Vocation
- 1978–1981:
- Alfa-Laval
- 1982:
- X-tra
- 1983–1988:
- Super croix
- 2002:
- Fiat
- 2003–2010:
- Skoda
