Jersey Classification Guide

Check out our quick guide to the 'maglia rosa' and the other classification jerseys at the Giro d'Italia.

General Classification - Pink Jersey (Maglia Rosa) Whereas the overall leader of the Tour de France gets to wear the famous yellow jersey, at the Giro it is pink. The reason for this is that both colours correspond to the newspapers which traditionally managed each event. In the Tour de France their jersey reflects the colours of L'Auto's yellow pages, whereas in Italy, since 1931, it has corresponded to the Gazzetta dello Sport's pink newsprint. The pink jersey is awarded at the end of each stage to the rider with the lowest overall time. As with all the jerseys on offer, several riders normally get the chance to wear it before the end of the race, but then it is then awarded to the overall winner. Mountains Classification - Green Jersey (Maglia Verde) During the hillier stages of the race, points are awarded to those riders who are first to scale the toughest climbs on each particular day. The number of points awarded varies according to the hill classification, which is determined by the steepness and length of each particular ascent. The green jersey - just like the polka dot jersey in the Tour de France - is worn by the rider who has amassed the largest number of these points, and the rider with the most points at the end of the race wins the climbing competition. Points Classification - Mauve Jersey (Maglia Ciclamino) On each stage, points are also on offer to the riders who are first to pass pre-determined checkpoints throughout the day. The ones that occur mid-way through the stage are referred to as intermediate sprints and six, four and two points are awarded to the first three cyclists passing these lines. Not surprisingly, the most points on offer come at the finish line, with 25 being awarded to the winner, 20 for second, 16 for third, 14 for fourth, 12 for fifth, 10 for sixth, and then one point less per place down the line, to a single point for fifteenth. This jersey is worn by the rider who has earned himself the largest amount of these particular points. On any occasion where the overall leader is also leading the points classification, then the mauve jersey will be awarded to the rider who is second in the standings. This rule also applies to the mountains classification. Best Young Rider Classification - White Jersey (Maglia Bianca) This jersey is awarded to the rider, under the age of 25, who holds the highest ranking in the general classification at the end of each stage, and also at the end of the race proper.