The colour that’s always ahead of the race

The tradition of the cycle race leader wearing a yellow jersey began in 1919, at the Tour de France. Journalists wanted to be able to spot the leading rider more easily so Tour de France director Henri Desgrange decided to hand out a yellow jersey.

Why yellow? Some say it’s because the Tour’s sponsor, a French newspaper called L’Auto, was printed on yellow paper. Others say it’s because post-war shortages meant yellow was the only colour of jersey available. Whatever the reason, canary yellow now instantly stands for success, at least in the cycling world.