Term/Phrase
|
Definition
|
GC/General Classification
|
The ultimate winner of the event wins the General Classification and wears the yellow jersey. In events other than the Tour de France it could be another colour ie Tour Down Under is Ochre. |
TT/Time Trial
|
All riders complete the same course racing against the clock. |
GT
|
Grand Tour – There are only 3 every year that span 3 weeks. Giro Italia, Vuelta Espana and Tour de France |
One Day Classic
|
One day races that take place as part of the Professional season. The big five ‘Monuments’ are Milan – San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Giro di Lombardia |
Yellow Jersey (TdF)
|
General Classification; The race leader with the shortest time accumulated on all stages |
White Jersey (TdF)
|
Best young rider; Same as the Yellow but only for riders under 26 |
White with red polka dots (TdF)
|
King of the Mountains; Rider who has claimed the most points in designated climbs |
Green
|
Sprint; Rider who has claimed the most points in designated sprints |
HC – Hors catégorie Climb
|
A hill climb that is so tough it is beyond categorisation. Originally used to describe mountain roads where cars were not expected to be able to pass, these climbs include an altitude difference of at least 1,000 meters and have an average grade of at least 7 percent. |
Category 1 Climb
|
Climbs last 20 kilometers with an average 6 percent grade and ascend 1,500 meters. |
Category 2 Climb
|
Climbs are 5 kilometers or longer at an 8 percent grade and ascend 500 meters. |
Category 3 Climb
|
Climbs last approximately 5 kilometers, have an average grade of 5 percent, and ascend 150 meters. |
Category 4 Climb
|
Climbs are short and easy. |
Natural break
|
Cameras go off rider because he’s pissing off the side of his bike |
The Bing Ring
|
On the bigger front chain ring so by definition ‘ard |
Bonked
|
Sudden failure to function due to depletion of all energy reserves. Less fun than the more common definition. |
Autobus
|
A group of riders who form up at the rear of a stage in a stage race to work together and beat the time cut. Usually happens in tough (mountainous) stages and consists largely of domestiques and sprinters. Also called grupetto |
Bottle
|
Nickname for Levi Leipheimer. Short story goes that when Leipheimer joined Armstrong’s team, Armstrong wanted a drink, so he just pointed at a newcomer and said “bottle” |
Broom Wagon
|
Support vehicle driving behind the race picking up riders unable to finish |
Palmares
|
Races that a rider has won |
Parcours
|
Profile/route of the race/stage |
Peleton
|
Main bunch/field of Riders |
Road Rash
|
Grazes and cuts received from hitting the tarmac |
Shelled
|
Riders falling off the back of the Peleton because they can’t handle the pace. |
Tete de la course
|
French for “head of the race” |
Wheelsucker
|
A rider who sits on the rear wheel of others and doesn’t do any work. Generally refuses to put his nose into clear air. |
Cirque du Risible
|
A collection of amateur riders who follow the TDF dressed like Lycra clad clowns. |
Crack
|
See Bonked |
Red Number
|
Most aggressive rider for the previous stage (basically longest time in a breakaway). This title is then selected at the end of the tour. |
Lanterne rouge
|
The rider who finishes Le Tour with the slowest time but most importantly avoids elimination, and also refers to that rider at the end of each stage as the holder of the Lanterne Rouge |
Riding yourself inside-out
|
When a rider gives absolutely every last ounce of energy to put his team mate in a stronger position and then when he has nothing left pulls off to the side to try and somehow make the finish before cut-off. |
Elimination time
|
The slowest time a rider can finish a leg in and be allowed to continue in the next leg. In le Tour it is based off the time the first rider takes to cross the line, so has to be calculated on the fly |
Yellow Helmets
|
The (slightly controversial ie not liked by the riders) requirement to wear Yellow helmets for the team winning the best overall time for the tour. This is new to the TdF |
Dirty
|
Someone who is riding with Performance enhancers or the the suspicion. |