From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maillot blanc (French for white jersey) is the jersey given to the best young rider in the Tour de France as determined by the best overall time. The winner must be under the age of 25 on January 1 the year of the Tour. The jersey holder is thus determined by looking at the maillot jaune classification, then removing all riders born before the cut-off date.
[edit] History
Before 1975, awards of the maillot blanc had meant the lead rider in the Combination Classification (best rider in the overall, points and climbing competitions). In 1975 the award of the Maillot Blanc was changed to the Best Young Rider Classification (less than 26 years of age) and calculated using the rankings for the maillot jaune.[1] Between 1983 and 1986, the competition was only open for first-time competitants, but after 1987, it was again for all cyclist less than 26 years of age. After 1989, the white jersey was no longer awarded, although the competition was still calculated. In 2000, the white jersey was awarded again. In 1997, the name of the competition officially changed to 'Souvenir Fabio Casartelli'. [2] Czech auto manufacturer Škoda has sponsored the white jersey ever since it took over the auto sponsorship of the Tour de France from FIAT in 2003.
Since the maillot blanc was introduced in 1975, it has been won by 29 different cyclists. Of those, five cyclists went on to win the yellow jersey (Fignon, LeMond, Pantani, Ullrich and Contador).
[edit] Winners of the Maillot blanc
[edit] Winners by Nation
[edit] External links
France
Italy
Netherlands
Spain
Germany
Colombia
Russia
United States
Australia
Mexico
Ukraine
