The Importance of being in Yellow

The colour yellow; to most it connotes to happiness, to ladies out there, it is an impossible colour to wear as make-up and more often than not, as clothing without looking like a sunflower or banana.

However in the realms of cycling yellow is the most coveted colour, it means victory and because it has such a large and extensive history is a privilege to wear, the same way an athlete feels about wearing their national colours.

The yellow jersey in the Tour de France is worn by the person who has the quickest overall time. Each day this can differ interchangeably due to circumstance or due to 

current holder being unable to keep it.

It is a golden rule that a Tour de France winner is generally a good all rounder. Good a climbing, on the flats and staying out of trouble here, as well as the third; time trialling.

There are special considerations for the yellow jersey throughout the race, and even after it.

During the race, if the rider is taking a “natural break” then no accelerations to gain more time over him and pry a gap open can occur (this is called an attack). However in the past it has happened, inevitably the rider who does this is often denounced.

Also, if the rider in the yellow (also called a Maillot Jaune in French) crashes most of the time the main group of riders (a peloton) will wait in that they will slow down enough so that the yellow will rejoin the group, again, this does not always occur but it has become almost an accepted practice as it shows respect to the rider.

On the final day it is essentially ceremonial and a day for the sprinters (riders who specialise in short bursts of energy at the finish line). For the yellow it has become a gentlemen’s agreement  that no-one will try and win the yellow on the final day. The final stage which has head into Paris since 1975 goes slow for the best part of the day as fellow riders congratulate the winner of this year’s edition of the race.

The final stage is also a highly scenic one for all you travel bugs out there as it does a few laps around the Champs Elysees which displays the stunning beauty of France’s capital. It well and truly is like a lonely planet formatted for the telly. with all the buildings, water fountains and golden commemorations to french icons it is truly entrancing to watch this, even if cycling isn't your thing. 

The rider after he wins, often has post tour obligations to both his country  for example, this year’s winner Cadel Evans is coming home to Australia and a parade is taking place to celebrate his victory, you can watch live coverage art 12pm on SBS one.

In addition the rider probably has to do other races in order to fulfil obligations of being the winner such as a one day bike races on a circuit of some sort (this is known as a 

criterium)

The yellow jersey is one of the sporting icons and it has been since its induction, and for some rather odd reason most of the cyclists that wear it, look pretty darn good in the Golden Fleece (another name for the yellow). And thankfully so, it makes the race a little bit more interesting for the ladies out there who don’t mind a look or two at some very physically fit bodies that are practically transparent in that Lycra.