Combination classification in the Vuelta a España

White jersey
SportRoad Cycling
CompetitionVuelta a España
Awarded forWinner combination classification
Local nameJersey Blanco Spain
History
First award1970
Editions31 (as of 2018)
Final award2018
First winner Guido Reybrouck (BEL)
Most wins Alejandro Valverde (ESP) (3 wins)
Most recent Simon Yates (GBR)

The combination classification was one of the primary awards in the Vuelta a España cycling stage race. This classification was calculated by adding the numeral ranks of each cyclist in the general, points, and mountains classifications (a rider must have had a score in all classifications possible to qualify for the combination classification), with the lowest cumulative total signifying the leader of this competition.[1][2]

From 2006 to 2018, the leader of the classification wore a white jersey; in 2005 it was a golden-green jersey.

The award strongly favoured top riders in the competition. Since its re-introduction in 2002, it was only won by someone other than the race's overall winner four times: in 2002, 2003, 2012, and 2015. On all four of those occasions, the winning cyclist was placed either second or third in the overall classification.

The combination classification was discontinued in 2019. Now, the white jersey is worn by the best young rider.[3]

The Vuelta was the last major race to feature a combination classification.[4]

Winners

Most wins

Rank Cyclist Total Years
1  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) 3 2003, 2009, 2012
2  Alberto Contador (ESP) 2 2008, 2014
 Federico Echave (ESP) 2 1990, 1991
 Chris Froome (GBR) 2 2011, 2017
 Roberto Heras (ESP) 2 2002, 2004
 Sean Kelly (IRL) 2 1986, 1988
 Denis Menchov (RUS) 2 2005, 2007

References

  1. ^ "The jerseys of the Vuelta a España". inrng.com. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  2. ^ "A beginner's guide to the Vuelta a España". Yellow Jersey. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Vuelta a Espana introduces young rider jersey in 2019". Cycling News. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  4. ^ "Javier Guillén: "Unipublic se opone a la". Ciclismo a Fondo (in Spanish). 16 January 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Vuelta a España Results". UCI. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  6. ^ Windsor, Richard (11 September 2016). "Nairo Quintana wins 2016 Vuelta a España; Nielsen takes final stage sprint". cyclingweekly.com. Retrieved 26 June 2022.