Talking with USA Fast-Man, Fast Freddie
BiciRace.com talks with Iban Mayo
Matteo Algeri and BiciRace.com crew was there, flying down the road.
Cofidis Warm up, Eindhoven TTT
Tour de France, France
2 - 24 July
Classifications
Maillot Jaune (Overall Jersey)
Maillot Jaune, or Yellow Jersey, is cycling's most recognized prize. The history of the yellow jersey is linked to the newspaper that started the Tour, L'Auto (ancestor of the present l'Équipe). The paper was, and is currently, printed on yellow paper. Many riders will kill for one day in the yellow jersey. It is instant cycling stardom for any rider arriving in Paris in yellow as the final overall winner. The jersey is awarded after each stage to the rider who has the lowest cumulative time.
Maillot Vert (Sprinter's Jersey)
Maillot Vert, or the green jersey, is awarded for being a sprinting mad-man. At the end of each stage there are points given out for the top finishers, the higher you place, the more points. Flat stages typically award the most points and mountain stages the fewest. Therefore, is is a tough man of speed that will excel and wear the green jersey. Note, there are also intermediate sprint points available on the flat stages to keep the racing fast. You will see the green jersey awarded by some lovely ladies at the end of every stage.
Maillot Blanc à Pois Rouges (Climber's Jersey)
Maillot Blanc à Pois Rouges or simply, the 'polka dot jersey', is awarded to the man with the fast climbing legs. The Tour de France is littered with cols, or mountains, to test the strength of the climbers. At the top of each of these cols are points awarded, depending on the climbs caliber. The higher the mountain, the more pain and points, you get the idea. The French fans, and fans around the world, go nuts over this competition. Wear this polka-dot jersey for a few days and you are cool, wear it at the end of a three week knife-fight, and you are legend.
Maillot Blanc (Young Overall Jersey)
This competition is just like the one for the Mellow-John, opps Maillot Jaune, but for those 25 and under. The Maillot Blanc (Blanc = White in French) is a jersey for the young-guns with legs for three weeks. The rider winning this competition will be tipped for future stardom, and in some cases also win the Tour. Eddy Merckx was 24 when he won his first Tour in 1969, of course Merckx is King.
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