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Where do the Tour de France Symbols Come From?

By Martin Atanasov

The Tour that stands above all tours is happening right now and we all know and love it. We haven’t had such a great fight among four riders in quite a while, and although Tadej is the one all in yellow at the moment, it’s still anyone’s race. Speaking of the yellow jersey, do you know why it’s yellow? What about the polka dot? What about all the other symbols surrounding the Tour? Well, let’s shed some light on those.

The yellow jersey

The yellow jersey is, without a doubt, the most iconic emblem of the Tour de France. Worn by the current race leader, it has been a part of the Tour since 1939. This jersey, which has graced the shoulders of many legends, is a testament to the rich history of the race.

You may think that the colour derives from gold or has some other hidden meaning, pointing to glory, champions, and whatnot. But, no, it started as nothing more than a marketing trick.

You see, by 1939, the Tour de France had lost some of its initial spark. Moreover, with war threatening to erupt at any moment, people were far less interested in watching or, more accurately, reading about some dudes riding like crazy across the fields of France. So, naturally, L’Auto newspaper’s sales dropped. L’Auto were the founders and driving force behind the Tour and wouldn’t you know it, they printed solely on yellow paper. So, to drive up sales, they invented a new twist: the race leader was to wear all yellow so he could stick out.

This tactic worked wonders and gave the Tour a new push before the Germans decided to make their own Tour de France, with fewer bikes and more… I digress.

The green jersey

The green jersey, a symbol of speed and agility, is perhaps the most thrilling to follow in the Tour de France. Worn by the points classification leader, usually a sprinter, it signifies the most adrenaline-pumping moments of the race. This jersey is a tribute to those who defy the laws of physics and ride at the speed of light or even faster.

In 1953, the organisers of the Tour noticed the same thing, so they decided to put a bit more sprints along the route. These special sections gave points to the riders on top of the finish, and the one with the most points would get the green jersey. The first green jersey was sponsored by a clothing store called La Belle Jardiniere. The green colour is not particularly associated with the brand – most people think that the sponsor decided on this colour as it was fashionable at the time so more riders and fans would be interested in buying this shirt, which would increase brand awareness.

Today, Škoda is behind the green jersey, which is not just a fashion choice but also represents the brand’s spirit and love for the almighty sprint. Thus, the tradition of the green jersey is in safe hands while Škoda is behind the wheel.

The polka-dot jersey

Hinault and LeMond
Frenchman Bernard Hinault (L), wearing the red and white Polka Dot Jersey of the best climber and US Greg Lemond, the winner of 73th Tour de France pose for media 27 July 1986 in Paris. © AFP PHOTO DANIEL JANIN/DOMINIQUE FAGET, Profimedia

Now, before you ask, the polka-dot jersey does not represent a cyclist with smallpox. It’s actually for the mountain goats who decided to try cycling.

The King of the Mountains was first crowned in 1933 when Vincent Trueba became the first winner of the all-new mountain classification. Before that, L’Auto named the best climber of the Tour as a footnote, which was not well received by the readers who loved the sport.

Regardless of the classification, the polka dot jersey became a thing much later. In 1975, Lucien Van Impe became the first winner of the polka dot and later became its biggest critic.

Now, why the polka dot jersey is white with red dots is not particularly clear. Some suggest that it’s because of the first sponsor, Chocolat Poulain. Still, why they chose this particular scheme is anyone’s guess.

A far more believable suggestion is that the polka dot jersey was designed to stand out in snowy peaks. While today, riders are not that often met by snow storms up in the mountains, in the 1970s, this was far more common. So, the polka dot was designed to be easily noticeable by other riders, spectators, and TV viewers. With many TVs being black and white at the time, this unique colour scheme allowed viewers to recognise the leader without much problem, even during tough weather conditions.

The white jersey

The white jersey was not always for the best young rider. In fact, from 1968 when it first appeared to 1975, it was awarded to the combined classification leader. This was the rider who performed best on the general classification, sprints and climbs. It was the ultimate all-rounder. However, in 1975, this concept was abandoned and the jersey, sponsored by Krys, started going to the best rider under age 26.

Now, the colour is self-explanatory here. It represents purity and freshness, which perfectly embodies the young riders. Still, there is no official explanation for why the white jersey is white. It just is, and that’s good enough for those who wear it. So, it’s good enough for us.

The logo

The Tour logo is one of the more recent symbols of the race. It was introduced in 2002 by the designer Joel Guenoun. It’s a simple yet powerful symbol that represents the spirit and the overall grandeur of the event.

The handwritten style evokes a certain French flair, subtly tying the logo to the Tour’s origin and national identity. The yellow circle masterfully doubles both as the sun, a constant companion on the road, and the bicycle’s front wheel. As a front wheel, it’s ahead of the race, so you get it.

The “O,” “U,” and “R” of “Tour” are cleverly integrated within the yellow circle, further reinforcing the cyclist’s image. Meanwhile, “France” has an elevated rear end, which represents a climb.

Truly a masterful logo that today can be seen everywhere in France.

The Champs-Élysées finish

This year will be the first time the Tour won’t finish in Paris and it’s also the first time since 1975 that it won’t finish on Champs-Élysées. Up until now, this famous boulevard has been elevated as the Grand Final of the Tour and has become symbolic to the winner who receives the yellow jersey at the podium beneath the Arc de Triomphe.

In 1975, the Tour had already become a worldwide sensation. So, to add some grandeur, the organisers decided to add an iconic landmark as the final. Champs-Élysées was the perfect choice. It’s renowned for its luxurious shops, theatres, and historical significance. Finishing here elevates the Tour’s final stage, placing it on a world-famous stage and creating a more spectacular finale. Moreover, the broad avenue offers ample space for a large crowd and a thrilling sprint finish, often decided by a photo finish.

Furthermore, as the race takes several laps around the boulevard, it’s perfect for pageantry. So, when the winner has been decided in advance, the peloton takes turns celebrating their achievements rather than starting the race from the very beginning. It’s a lovely tradition showcasing the sportsmanship essential to the sport.

So, while Champs-Élysées and Paris as a whole will remain outside the spotlight this year, the final stage will undoubtedly return to its beloved home next year when there are no Olympic games.

The dépanneur

The dépanneur, also known as the broom wagon, is the one vehicle no rider wants to see. It’s the last car of the parade, and if it passes you, you’re out of the Tour.

There was no official broom wagon in the Tour’s early years. However, some race organisers or sponsors might have unofficially provided vehicles to pick up lagging riders. The dépanneur, as we know it today, emerged around the 1930s. The Tour organisers implemented a designated vehicle to collect riders who fell behind the peloton and weren’t likely to catch back.

The dépanneur serves as a constant reminder of the Tour’s gruelling nature. It highlights that even for professional athletes, the race is demanding, and failing to meet the pace can result in elimination.

So, if you haven’t managed to finish the L’Étape du Tour de France, don’t feel bad. Even professionals sometimes get swiped off the race. It’s how cycling works.

The flamme rouge

Now, we all know what the flamme rouge is. This is the point where the battle begins. Shoulders touch, riders fall, and sprinters get in position. This is where, on gruelling climb finishes, the front rider gets his second wind, seeing he’s only 1,000 meters away from his triumph. This is the Tour de France at its best.

The symbol was first established in 1906 when the organizers decided to give the riders a heads-up that the race was coming to an end. Since then, this mark has symbolised the upcoming battle. The red colour was most likely first used to draw attention, even during foggy and unclear weather. However, today, the red triangle flag on top of the last kilometre mark symbolises the battle that follows, the blood that boils, and the passion for the win.

The lion toy

Jonas Vingegaard
The Lion Trophy has been on stage for almost 4 decades now, it’s practically already part of the lore. © Profimedia

If you watch the awarding ceremony on each stage, you may have noticed that whenever the yellow jersey winner takes the stage, he holds a gorgeous plush lion toy. The lion toy’s story has little to do with the Tour itself and a lot to do with one of its oldest sponsors – the Crédit Lyonnais Bank, also known as LCL. They’ve been a major sponsor of the Tour since 1987 and the lion is their bank’s symbol. So, in 1987, they started gifting a stuffed lion mascot wearing a yellow jersey to each stage winner to showcase their love for the sport. While it was never meant to become an inseparable part of the Tour, since the lion has been on stage for almost 4 decades now, it’s practically already part of the lore.

The lanterne rouge

Finally, we have the lanterne rouge. This is the symbol of fighting to the bitter end, no matter if you have a chance of winning. It’s crossing the finish line at the Champs Elysées that matters. It’s the glory of the moment. In other words, the lanterne rouge is a symbolic name given to the last person who finished the Tour successfully.

The name derives from the red lanterns that were put at the end of passenger trains.

This is a symbol that honours those who haven’t quit despite knowing they have no chance of winning or helping their team win. It’s the flame that never goes out.

Now you know

Hopefully, now you will have a greater appreciation of the symbols of the Tour. But, of course, you don’t need to be a sprinter to wear the green jersey. That’s the point of those symbols. It’s your aspirations that matter. Leave the dress code for the peloton and while they show us what humans are capable of, the Tour symbols are there to remind us that we are all carrying the Tour’s flame, regardless of how fast, strong or resilient we are.