Why is it a yellow jersey for Tour de France?
Christopher Snyder
Updated on June 16, 2026
.
Considering this, why is the Tour de France leader's jersey yellow?
The yellow jersey or the 'maillot jaune' is the most iconic jersey. It was first awarded in 1919 to make the race leader stand out and the yellow colour was chosen because the pages of race sponsor's magazine, L'Auto, were yellow.
One may also ask, what are the jerseys in the Tour de France? Here are the four Tour de France jerseys:
- Yellow – overall winner. The biggest prize in cycling is the famous yellow jersey of the Tour de France.
- Green– best sprinter. The green jersey is the prestigious prize given to the best sprinter in the Tour.
- Polka dot – King of the Mountains.
- White – best young rider.
Keeping this in view, who wears the yellow jersey in the Tour de France?
YELLOW: The maillot jaune, the yellow jersey, is the signature chemise of the Tour de France. It designates the overall leader of the race so far. When cyclists finish the three-week race by cruising through the streets of Paris, the photo of the yellow-shirted winner is seen around the globe.
Who is wearing the yellow jersey today?
Julian Alaphilippe wears the yellow jersey. Alaphilippe is currently the owner of the most coveted prize in French sports: the Tour de France leader's yellow jersey. Until he zipped it up last week, no Frenchman had worn the jersey for so much as a day in five years; Loulou wore it on Bastille Day.
Related Question Answers