Yell-oh Jer-zee
Noun
A yellow-colored jersey awarded to the leader in a cycling race.
Example usage: 'The cyclist in the yellow jersey is leading the race.'
Most used in: Professional cycling races.
Most used by: Professional cyclists.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 4/10
Also see: Maillot Jaune, Tour de France Leader's Jersey, Race Leader's Jersey, Overall Classification Leader's Jersey,
The Meaning of the Yellow Jersey in Cycling
The yellow jersey is an iconic symbol in the world of cycling. It is a distinctive garment that is awarded to the leader of a cycling race. This individual is known as the “General Classification” leader, and they are the cyclist who has the lowest cumulative time in the race overall.
The yellow jersey is also known as the maillot jaune in French, and it was first introduced in 1919 at the Tour de France. The colour yellow was chosen to represent the newspaper L’Auto, which was the sponsor of the Tour de France at the time. The yellow jersey is now used in many cycling races around the world, including the Vuelta a España and the Giro d’Italia.
The yellow jersey is one of the most coveted prizes in cycling. In the Tour de France alone, a total of 39 riders have worn the yellow jersey since 1919. The most successful rider is five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx, who won the race an incredible 34 times.
.The Origins of the 'Yellow Jersey' in Cycling
The famous bright yellow jersey of the Tour de France is one of the most recognizable symbols of the world's most popular annual sporting event. But how did the yellow jersey first come to be?
The term 'yellow jersey' was first used in the early 1920s when the Tour de France began awarding a yellow jersey to the leader of the race. At the time, the jersey was actually a woolen jersey of a shade of yellow that was produced by a French sports clothing manufacturer. This yellow jersey was awarded to the cyclist with the shortest cumulative time in the race.
The tradition of awarding a yellow jersey to the leader of the race has continued to this day, with the Tour de France still awarding the yellow jersey to the cyclist with the shortest cumulative time. The jersey is still produced by a French manufacturer, and is now a bright fluorescent yellow.
The yellow jersey has become an iconic symbol of the Tour de France, and is recognized all around the world as a symbol of excellence in cycling.
