Description
The Tour de France Polka Dot Jersey
The Tour de France introduced its mountains classification in 1933, awarding points to riders who crossed designated summits near the front, but the competition did not receive its own distinctive leader’s jersey until 1975. That year, the Tour unveiled the white jersey with red polka dots. Chocolat Poulain sponsored the Tour’s mountains classification when the polka dot jersey was introduced in 1975, and wanted the competition to have a more visible identity. Tour co-director Félix Lévitan then chose the white jersey with red spots as a tribute to French track rider Henri Lemoine, whose distinctive racing colors had impressed him years earlier. Belgium’s Lucien Van Impe became the first rider to win the classification in the new jersey, and the bold pattern quickly became one of cycling’s most recognizable symbols. Poulain Chocolate subsequently adopted the polka dot motif for its packaging. The polka dot jersey is worn by the rider leading the mountains competition, with points awarded for classified climbs, with greater rewards generally reserved for the most difficult ascents. Van Impe and Federico Bahamontes each won the classification six times, while Richard Virenque holds the record with seven victories.
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Each jersey is one of a kind. Please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.
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