Combination classification in the Tour de France
 |
|
| Award details | |
|---|---|
| Sport | Road bicycle racing |
| Competition | Tour de France |
| Given for | Best combination leader |
| Local name | Maillot du combiné (French) |
| History | |
| First award | 1968 |
| Editions | 15 |
| Final award | 1989 |
| First winner |
 Franco Bitossi (ITA)
|
| Most wins |
|
| Most recent |
 Steven Rooks (NED)
|
Eddy Merckx (BEL)
The combination jersey (also known as the multi-coloured jersey or technicolour jersey) was the jersey in the Tour de France worn by the leader of the combination classification.
In 1968 the combination classification was introduced in the Tour de France, although at that time it was awarded with a white jersey. The jersey was awarded to the cyclists that did best in all other classifications: the General classification in the Tour de France, Points classification in the Tour de France and Mountains classification in the Tour de France. It was seen as the classification for the all-round cyclist. Only cyclists ranking in each of the three other classifications were ranked in the Combination classification. Ranking was established by adding the cyslists' ranks in the three other classifications: 1 point for rank 1, 2 points for rank 2 and so on. Cyclists being at level on ranks for one of the other classifications were added the average of the corresponding points (e.g. 2 cyclists being level at rank 3 where counting (3+4)/2 = 3.5 points). Finally, the lower the sum the better the Combination classification ranking.
From 1975 on, the white jersey was given to the best young cyclist, and the combination classification temporarily disappeared. In 1980, the combination classification was reintroduced, sponsored by French TV-station TF1, therefore officially named Grand Prix TF1. This lasted until 1982, when the combination classification disappeared again. In 1985, the combination classification was again reintroduced, and this time the combination jersey was used. After the 1989 Tour, the combination jersey has not been awarded, as the new director Jean-Marie Leblanc wanted to modernise the Tour. Since then, the Tour has awarded only the yellow, white, green and polka dot jerseys.
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