Tour de France Original Vintage Podium Lion, Race Leader – Team Classification, Small Size – c. late 1980s – early 1990s

These lovely small lions are presented to the team leading the race each day.

To anyone who follows the Tour de France, the Lion, awarded daily to the Yellow Jersey wearer, reigns supreme as the most recognizable mascot in cycling. Our lions were sourced over the years from riders, teams, and other collectors. Authentic podium lions have never been easy to acquire, as many were given away to family, friends, and the children of riders. They look great when on display and are among our most requested items to see when we have visitors to our home. And yes, all podium lions in our care are cage-free and house-trained.

The Lion made its first appearance in 1987 as a marketing tool by the Yellow Jersey corporate sponsor, the French Bank Crédit Lyonnais (now called LCL). The lion, a long-time symbol of the bank, was the perfect thing to turn into an iconic stuffed animal to award the Yellow Jersey winners.

There is something charming about these lions, particularly those from 10 to 30+ years ago. Each year, they are slightly different. Even within a year, the details of a given lion’s face are quite distinct.

Size: 10 inches tall (25.5cm)

Each lion is a unique and one-of-a-kind item; please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.