You’ll recognize the overall leader by his red jersey. The green jersey is around the shoulders of the first man in the points classification – because of all the top finishes this is usually a climber. Just like in the Tour de France, the winner of the KOM classification is awarded a polka dot jersey, only difference being the dots are blue instead of red.
La Vuelta first introduced the best young rider classification in 2019. Before that a combination classification was in order, which was a complicated mix of the other three classifications.
| Year | GC | Points | Mountains | Combi/youth (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Primoz Roglic | Fabio Jakobsen | Michael Storer | Gino Mäder |
| 2020 | Primoz Roglic | Primoz Roglic | Guillaume Martin | Enric Mas |
| 2019 | Primoz Roglic | Primoz Roglic | Geoffrey Bouchard | Tadej Pogacar |
| 2018 | Simon Yates | Alejandro Valverde | Thomas De Gendt | Simon Yates |
| 2017 | Chris Froome | Chris Froome | Davide Villella | Chris Froome |
| 2016 | Nairo Quintana | Fabio Felline | Omar Fraille | Chris Froome |
| 2015 | Fabio Aru | Alejandro Valverde | Omar Fraille | Joaquim Rodriguez |
| 2014 | Alberto Contador | John Degenkolb | Luis León Sanchez | Alberto Contador |
| 2013 | Chris Horner | Alejandro Valverde | Nicolas Edet | Chris Horner |
| 2012 | Alberto Contador | Alejandro Valverde | Simon Clarke | Alejandro Valverde |
| 2011 | Chris Froome | Bauke Mollema | David Moncoutié | Chris Froome |
| 2010 | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Vincenzo Nibali |
| 2009 | Alejandro Valverde | André Greipel | David Moncoutié | Alejandro Valverde |
| 2008 | Alberto Contador | Greg Van Avermaet | David Moncoutié | Alberto Contador |
Records in the Vuelta a España
With 5 overall victories Roberto Heras is record holder. Of the still active drivers Primoz Roglic comes closest with two GC wins.
If you talk stage wins, only one rider is the king. In the 1940’s Spaniard Delio Rodríguez won 33 stages and in edition 1941, 12 out of 22 stages were his. Alessandro Petacchi comes closest with 20 stages.
The 1984 Vuelta saw the smallest GC gap ever recorded in a Grand Tour. Eric Caritoux (France) won the race with a 6 seconds lead over Alberto Fernandez Blanco (Spain).
I used to find this race quite boring BUT the route and the commitment of the riders over the past few years have changed my opinion. This year, 2019, has been the most compelling, watching live coverage for around 5 hours every day. Congratulations to all those involved with organisation, competing and reporting the excitement as it happened. We must also give special mention to the fantastic helicopter filming of not only the race but the wonderful mountain scenery. Well done to everyone.