OK. So I pretty much understand the yellow jersey–overall leader, right? What do the green, red/white, and white jerseys signify?
Green jersey is the sprinting, or points, jersey. That’s what all the intermediate sprints are about. The polka dot jersey is the climbing jersey. It looks like Virenque could earn his 7th this year(I think that ties the record, or does JaJa have more?) The white jersey is the best young rider jersey. At this point, Voeckler is damned likely taking that home.
green - most points from intermediate sprints and flat stage finishes
red/white (polka-dot) - most points from intermediate climbs and uphill stage finishes (KOM points)
white - leader in the GC of the under 23? (not sure on the age, but it’s the best young rider classification).
Green is for the Sprint/Points leader
Red Polka dot - Climb primes see Virenque
White - best young rider (I think it is <26 y/o)
there is also a special dossard(sp?) for hte last place rider and I think one for the most aggressive (time spent off the front of the peloton i.e. Piil)
the letour.fr FAQ has some of these answers in much better and more accurate detail.
-SD
Here is basic Tour FAQ:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/tour04/?id=features/FAQ
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Thanks all!
You may also want to look at the copy of ESPN the magazine that has Lance on the cover ( within the last few weeks) as it gives an explanation of the history of the Jerseys
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I read somewhere that the colors were determined by their respective corprate sponsors way back when: the main sponsor’s logo was yellow, thus the yellow jersey for the leader; the sponsor of the sprinters’ prize was a gardening/farming company, thus the green jersey; the climbers’ prize was sponsored by a candy company whose signature candy wrappers were white with red polka-dots… Thus the polka-dot jersey worn by the King of the Mountains.