Sport Road Cycling Local name Maglia Rosa (Italian) | Competition Giro d'Italia Editions 99 (as of 2016) | |
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Given for Winner overall classification First award 1909 (first pink jersey in 1931) | ||
The general classification in the Giro d'Italia is the most important classification of the Giro d'Italia, which determines who is the overall winner. It is therefore considered more important than secondary classifications as the points classification or the mountains classification.
Since 1931, the leader of the general classification is identified by a pink jersey (Italian: maglia rosa [ˈmaʎʎa ˈrɔza]).
In the first editions of the Giro d'Italia, a points system was used for the calculation of the general classification, but since 1914 a time system is used. All stage results are added together, taking into account time bonuses for high finishes and intermediate sprints, and time penalties for breaking the rules.
The color pink was chosen because La Gazzetta dello Sport, the sports newspaper that created the Giro, was printed on pink paper. In comparison, the leader of the general classification in the Tour de France is awarded a yellow jersey, which originally corresponds with the yellow newsprint of L'Auto, the newspaper that created the Tour de France.