How the Tour de France is scored

BESANCON, France (AP) -- A brief look at how the Tour de France is scored and the awarding of the jerseys:

-- Individual time ranking: The yellow jersey. Awarded to the winner of the Tour, it is calculated by adding together times achieved by each rider in the Prologue and the 20 stages. This includes time bonuses of 20, 12 and 8 seconds for the top three racers in each stage.

-- Individual points ranking: The green jersey. Awarded to the best sprinter, this is calculated by adding together the points recorded in each stage. A maximum of 35 points is awarded for winning a flat stage, with extra points (6-4-2) for placing 1-2-3 in intermediate sprints during each stage. Points are also available for sprints during mountain stages, but less than for flat stages.

-- Individual best climber ranking: The polka-dot, or red-spotted, jersey is given to the "King of the Mountains." This is established by adding up points won on all passes and hills, but depends on the severity of each ascent.

a) "Non-graded" climbs. The hardest of all climbs, points are awarded to the first 10 riders to finish, with the winner getting 20.

b) Category 1: points given to the top eight. Fifteen points for first place.

c) Category 2: points given to the top six. Ten points for first place.

d) Category 3: points given to the top four. Four points for first place.

e) Category 4: points given to the top three. Three points for first place.

-- Young-Rider Ranking: The white jersey. This is reserved for riders born after Jan. 1, 1979. The winner is the highest-placed young rider in the overall standings.

-- General Team Ranking: The best overall team in the Tour is calculated by adding together the three best individual times of each team in all stages. No jersey is awarded.

-- General Competitiveness Rankings: The competitiveness prize rewards the rider deemed to have made the most effort in a stage. A jury, usually made up of former cyclists, designates the daily winner. He gets to wear a blue number on his bib the following day. No jersey is awarded at the end of the Tour.

(jp-ps)