In cycling, as in life, green signals GO. And specifically, go fast. The green jersey is awarded to the cyclist with the highest number of sprint points, which are gained by the riders based on their finish in each stage. However, not all stages are created equal; the number of points for each place and the number of riders rewarded varies depending on the type of stage. Flatter stages offer higher rewards, as they are more likely to finish in a sprint, and points are also awarded for individual time trial stages. Finally, additional points are up for grabs two to three times during each stage during pre-determined sprint contests.
Notable Winners: Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan, Tom Boonen