Points classification in the Vuelta a España
The points classification in the Vuelta a España is a secondary classification in the Vuelta a España, in which the cyclists are ranked in a points classification based on the finish of each rider every stage.
| Green Jersey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sport | Road Cycling |
| Competition | Vuelta a España |
| Given for | Winner of the points classification |
| Local name | Maillot verde |
| History | |
| First award | 1945 |
| Editions | 66 (as of 2019) |
| First winner | .svg.png){kind=small} |
| Most wins |    (4 wins) |
| Most recent |  |
History
For the first time, a points classification was calculated in 1945, sponsored by Pirelli. It was calculated as follows:[1]
- The winner of a stage received 100 points, the second 99, and so on. If cyclists arrived in a group that was given the same time, they all received the same number of points.
- The first five cyclists in a stage received 12 points for every minute that they arrived ahead of the number six of the stage.
- For every point scored for the mountains classification, two points were given for this points classification.
- On intermediate sprints, points could be won: 8 for the winner, 6 for the second, 4 and 2 for the next.
Although the sponsor said that the classification was a great success,[2] it did not return the next edition.
The next time that a points classification was calculated, was in 1955. Then it used the method of adding the stage ranks, in the same way as the points classification in the Tour de France did then; just like in the Tour de France, the leader of the points classification (with the fewest points) wore a green jersey. In 1963, the points system changed such that from now on points were given to the first cyclists to reach the finish, and the cyclist with the most points was the leader.
Seán Kelly, Laurent Jalabert and Alejandro Valverde, with 4 titles each, share the record of victories.
Current system
Points are awarded according to placement at the finish line and at intermediate points of every stage and the rider with the most points wears the jersey.[3]
| Type | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage finish | 25 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Intermediate sprint | 4 | 3 | 2 |
This system unlike the Tour de France & the Giro d'Italia, gives an equal number of points in the mountains compared to the flats, this paired with the high number of summit finishes at the Vuelta means there is a correlation between the overall classification and the points jersey. A good example from 2012 when sprinter John Degenkolb won five stages but only finished fourth in the points competition with Alejandro Valverde well ahead.
Winners of the points classification by year
.svg.png){kind=small}
Multiple winners
| Wins | Rider | Editions |
|---|---|---|
| 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988 | |
| 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 | |
| 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018 | |
 | 2002, 2003, 2004 | |
.svg.png){kind=small} | 1959, 1965 | |
 | 1967, 1968 | |
| 1990, 1991 | |
References
- "25000 pesetas de la Case Pirelli para la Vuelta Ciclista a España". El Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 22 March 1945. p. 1. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- "V Vuelta Ciclista a España Pirelli". El Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 22 March 1945. p. 1. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- "The Jerseys of the Vuelta a España". inrng.com. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/05/09/pagina-8/638524/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1956/05/14/pagina-8/642412/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1957/05/13/pagina-8/638886/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1958/05/16/pagina-4/650184/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/05/11/pagina-9/650648/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1960/05/16/pagina-9/643236/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1961/05/12/pagina-9/645757/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1962/05/14/pagina-9/649750/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1963/05/16/pagina-8/1405582/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1964/05/17/pagina-8/1404766/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1965/05/17/pagina-12/926425/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1969/05/12/pagina-27/952719/pdf.html
- http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1977/05/16/pagina-37/1419608/pdf.html
- "Vuelta a España 2000 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2001 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2002 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2003 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2004 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2005 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2006 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2007 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Official Web Site Vuelta a España 2009 – History / 2008". LaVuelta.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2009 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2010 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- "Vuelta a España 2011 – Points classification". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
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| Classifications ("jerseys") |
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