frtour1-1, Exercise 1: The four jerseys

Model answer (check the details):

Yellow (maillot jaune): worn by whoever has the lowest total time. It is the main prize, and the winner in Paris is the winner of the Tour. It tends to go to all-round riders who climb and time-trial well and have strong teams.

Green (maillot vert): worn by the leader of the points classification, with points for finishing high on stages and at intermediate sprints. It tends to go to sprinters, who win flat stages but may lose time in the mountains.

Polka-dot (maillot à pois): the King of the Mountains, with points for being first over the marked climbs. It tends to go to climbers, who may attack on the big mountain stages.

White (maillot blanc): the best young rider (under 26) on overall time. It goes to the most promising overall contenders.

Tip for the friend: one rider can wear only one jersey at a time, and a team leader usually wears the yellow one.

Care: the rules for points and age limits change, so check the current regulations.