The polka-dot jersey, known in French as maillot à pois rouges, symbolizes the leader of the mountain classification at the Tour de France. But how much do you really know about its legacy and the climbers who’ve made it iconic?
The Meaning Behind the Spots
Awarded to the best climber in the Tour, the polka-dot jersey identifies the rider who accumulates the most points over categorized climbs. Points vary based on the climb’s difficulty, ranked from Hors catégorie (HC – beyond category) down to fourth category. Each ascent’s classification considers length and gradient, set by race organizers before each Tour.
Historical Milestones
The King of the Mountains (KOM) classification dates back to 1933, introduced during the 27th Tour. Yet, the distinctive polka-dot jersey didn’t appear until 1975, with Dutch rider Joop Zoetemelk being the first to wear it. Interestingly, Zoetemelk wasn’t the ultimate KOM winner that year; instead, Belgian Lucien Van Impe earned the honor.
Prior to 1933, the accolade of Meilleurs Grimpeurs (Best Climber) was informally awarded by the newspaper L’Auto, a precursor to today’s official classification.
The Legends of Climbing
Richard Virenque stands at the summit of KOM history with an unprecedented seven polka-dot jerseys, secured between 1994 and 2004. His dominance even eclipsed legendary climbers Lucien Van Impe and Federico Bahamontes, each boasting six KOM victories.
Top KOM Winners:
- Richard Virenque – 7 titles
- Lucien Van Impe – 6 titles
- Federico Bahamontes – 6 titles
- Julio Jiménez – 3 titles
Notable riders who’ve claimed the KOM jersey twice include Eddy Merckx, Fausto Coppi, Charly Gaul, Rafał Majka, and most recently, Tadej Pogačar (2020, 2021).
Recent Champions
The KOM jersey has seen a diverse array of recent winners, including Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz, who secured it in 2024—marking a historic first for his country.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Richard Carapaz |
| 2023 | Giulio Ciccone |
| 2022 | Jonas Vingegaard* |
| 2021 | Tadej Pogačar* |
| 2020 | Tadej Pogačar* |
| 2019 | Romain Bardet |
| 2018 | Julian Alaphilippe |
| 2017 | Warren Barguil |
| 2016 | Rafał Majka |
| 2015 | Chris Froome* |
| 2014 | Rafał Majka |
| 2013 | Nairo Quintana |
| 2012 | Thomas Voeckler |
| 2011 | Samuel Sanchez |
*Denotes years where the KOM winner also secured the overall yellow jersey.
The Ultimate Double: KOM and Yellow
Winning both the polka-dot and yellow jerseys in the same year is a rare and prestigious achievement, accomplished just eleven times by eight riders. Jonas Vingegaard (2022), Tadej Pogačar (2020, 2021), and Chris Froome (2015) are recent exemplars. Notably, Nairo Quintana narrowly missed the double in 2013, finishing second overall.
Legacy of the Polka Dots
The polka-dot jersey encapsulates the drama, endurance, and excitement of climbing in the Tour de France. Despite often being overshadowed by the general classification contenders, it remains a coveted prize symbolizing climbing mastery.
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