Thursday, July 12, 2012

Tour de France Polka Dot Jersey

photo by Mikel Ortega via FlickrThe polka dot jersey competition is a competition within the whole of the Tour de France. Points are awarded along most each day's race course to those who climb a specific incline first. It does not have to be a massive alpine mountain for points to be awarded either. The first person to climb a small hill can gain a single point. In a mountain top finish in a high category climb riders placing 1-10 can get 25 to 2 points.

The interesting thing about the polka dot jersey is some guys go strictly for king of the mountain points. It is possible to scoop up points along a long hilly stage and remain in the jersey without ever really contesting a true mountain stage win. There is a lot of strategy for those men that hope to wear the jersey.

Some guys pursue the king of the mountain in the flat early stages by being in so-called breakaways and grabbing the early race points. The may only have a couple of points but it will be enough for them to stay in the jersey until the true mountain stages. The prestige for the rider and his team is enough to try to get someone in the jersey and hold it for as long as possible.

During longer mountain stages, the polka dot jersey hopefuls will try to get in an early breakaway and grab the intermediate points along the way, if possible. They will try to hold on to the finish but typically these breaks are caught and someone else will win the stage. But for those going for the polka dot jersey they might be able to collect enough points to stay in the lead.

Source: http://www.squidoo.com/tour-de-france-polka-dot-jersey

platypus platypus overboard east of eden weather radio indiana autoimmune disease

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.