Cycling explained

A beginner's glossary of road cycling: jerseys (yellow, green, polka-dot, white), classifications, types of stage, climbs, breakaway, echelons, time bonuses — all in plain terms.

Classifications and jerseys

General classification · Points classification · Mountains classification · Young rider classification · Teams classification · Time bonuses

Types of stages

Flat stage · Mountain stage · Hilly stage · Time trial · Team time trial · Prologue

Race vocabulary

Breakaway · Peloton · Crosswinds (echelon) · Flamme rouge · Abandon (DNF / DNS / OTL) · Gruppetto (autobus) · Intermediate sprint

Climbs

Climb categories · Summit finish

Races and the calendar

Grand Tour · Classic · Monument · World Tour · UCI ranking

Roles within a team

Domestique · Team leader · Sprinter · Climber · Puncheur · Rouleur