ESSENTIAL INFO

Baffled by all those signs, symbols and jerseys? Here's your one-stop guide to decoding the Tour de France

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Alongside the famous leader's yellow jersey, and the fight for individual stage wins, the Tour de France has many other classifications that riders compete for. Understanding these, and who is in contention for them, can help to explain the tactics used on the road.

General classification The overall standings with riders ordered by their accumulated time for every stage so far. The rider with the lowest accumulated time at the end of the previous stage wears the yellow jersey as leader on the general classification (GC). The final wearer in Paris is the overall winner.

Points classification Points for the green jersey are awarded at the end of each stage, and at intermediate sprints on each stage. Race organiser ASO classifies stages as either flat, hilly or mountainous, with more points on offer at the end of flat stages to favour the sprinters. The rider with the highest number of points wears the green jersey.

Climbers' classification Also known as the King of the Mountains, points are awarded at the top of each classified climb according to a scale that reflects the climb's severity, from fourth-category (easy climbs with the least points) to third, second, first and Hors Catégorie (the highest mountains awarding the most). The rider with the most points wears the polka-dot jersey.

Young rider classification Open to riders born after 1 January, 2000 (under 26). The highest-placed young rider on GC wears the white jersey.

Team classification Calculated by adding the times of the three best riders from each team on every stage. The leading team wears yellow race numbers.