# Points classification

The points classification is a secondary award category in road bicycle racing. Points are given for high finishes and, in some cases, for winning sprints at certain places along the route, most often called intermediate sprints. The points classification is the top prize for many cycling sprinters and is often known as the sprint classification; however, in some stage races these classifications are based on different criteria.
The points classification is arguably the second most important title and cycling jersey to win at a cycling stage race behind the general classification, which is the winner of the event by overall time.

## Points classification winners of the Grand Tours
### Winners by year

Legend :
* Rider also won General classification
* Rider also won General and Mountains classification
| Year | Giro d'Italia | Tour de France | Vuelta a España |
| 1945 | Introduced in 1966 | Introduced in 1953 | Delio Rodríguez (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1953 | Introduced in 1966 | Fritz Schär (SUI) (1/1) | Reintroduced in 1955 |
| 1954 | Introduced in 1966 | Ferdinand Kübler (SUI) (1/1) | Reintroduced in 1955 |
| 1955 | Introduced in 1966 | Stan Ockers (BEL) (1/2) | Fiorenzo Magni (ITA) (1/1) |
| 1956 | Introduced in 1966 | Stan Ockers (BEL) (2/2) | Rik Van Steenbergen (BEL) (1/1) |
| 1957 | Introduced in 1966 | Jean Forestier (FRA) (1/1) | Vicente Iturat (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1958 | Introduced in 1966 | Jean Graczyk (FRA) (1/2) | Salvador Botella (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1959 | Introduced in 1966 | André Darrigade (FRA) (1/2) | Rik Van Looy (BEL) (1/3) |
| 1960 | Introduced in 1966 | Jean Graczyk (FRA) (2/2) | Arthur Decabooter (BEL) (1/1) |
| 1961 | Introduced in 1966 | André Darrigade (FRA) (2/2) | Antonio Suárez (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1962 | Introduced in 1966 | Rudi Altig (FRG) (1/2) | Rudi Altig (GER) (2/2) |
| 1963 | Introduced in 1966 | Rik Van Looy (BEL) (2/3) | Bas Maliepaard (NED) (1/1) |
| 1964 | Introduced in 1966 | Jan Janssen (NED) (1/5) | José Pérez Francés (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1965 | Introduced in 1966 | Jan Janssen (NED) (2/5) | Rik Van Looy (BEL) (3/3) |
| 1966 | Gianni Motta (ITA) (1/1) | Willy Planckaert (BEL) (1/1) | Jos van der Vleuten (NED) (1/1) |
| 1967 | Dino Zandegù (ITA) (1/1) | Jan Janssen (NED) (4/5) | Jan Janssen (NED) (3/5) |
| 1968 | Eddy Merckx (BEL) (1/6) | Franco Bitossi (ITA) (1/3) | Jan Janssen (NED) (5/5) |
| 1969 | Franco Bitossi (ITA) (2/3) | Eddy Merckx (BEL) (2/6) | Raymond Steegmans (BEL) (1/1) |
| 1970 | Franco Bitossi (ITA) (3/3) | Walter Godefroot (BEL) (1/1) | Guido Reybrouck (BEL) (1/1) |
| 1971 | Marino Basso (ITA) (1/1) | Eddy Merckx (BEL) (3/6) | Cyrille Guimard (FRA) (1/1) |
| 1972 | Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL) (1/3) | Eddy Merckx (BEL) (4/6) | Domingo Perurena (ESP) (1/2) |
| 1973 | Eddy Merckx (BEL) (6/6) | Herman Van Springel (BEL) (1/1) | Eddy Merckx (BEL) (5/6) |
| 1974 | Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL) (2/3) | Patrick Sercu (BEL) (1/1) | Domingo Perurena (ESP) (2/2) |
| 1975 | Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL) (3/3) | Rik Van Linden (BEL) (1/1) | Miguel María Lasa (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1976 | Francesco Moser (ITA) (1/4) | Freddy Maertens (BEL) (1/4) | Dietrich Thurau (GER) (1/1) |
| 1977 | Francesco Moser (ITA) (2/4) | Jacques Esclassan (FRA) (1/1) | Freddy Maertens (BEL) (2/4) |
| 1978 | Francesco Moser (ITA) (3/4) | Freddy Maertens (BEL) (3/4) | Ferdi Van Den Haute (BEL) (1/1) |
| 1979 | Giuseppe Saronni (ITA) (1/4) | Bernard Hinault (FRA) (1/1) | Alfons De Wolf (BEL) (1/1) |
| 1980 | Giuseppe Saronni (ITA) (2/4) | Rudy Pevenage (BEL) (1/1) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (1/8) |
| 1981 | Giuseppe Saronni (ITA) (3/4) | Freddy Maertens (BEL) (4/4) | Francisco Javier Cedena (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1982 | Francesco Moser (ITA) (4/4) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (2/8) | Stefan Mutter (SUI) (1/1) |
| 1983 | Giuseppe Saronni (ITA) (4/4) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (3/8) | Marino Lejarreta (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1984 | Urs Freuler (SUI) (1/1) | Frank Hoste (BEL) (1/1) | Guido Van Calster (BEL) (1/1) |
| 1985 | Johan van der Velde (NED) (1/3) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (4/8) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (5/8) |
| 1986 | Guido Bontempi (ITA) (1/1) | Eric Vanderaerden (BEL) (1/1) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (6/8) |
| 1987 | Johan van der Velde (NED) (2/3) | Jean-Paul van Poppel (NED) (1/1) | Alfonso Gutiérrez (ESP) (1/1) |
| 1988 | Johan van der Velde (NED) (3/3) | Eddy Planckaert (BEL) (1/1) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (7/8) |
| 1989 | Giovanni Fidanza (ITA) (1/1) | Sean Kelly (IRL) (8/8) | Malcolm Elliott (GBR) (1/1) |
| 1990 | Gianni Bugno (ITA) (1/1) | Olaf Ludwig (GDR) (1/1) | Uwe Raab (GDR) (1/2) |
| 1991 | Claudio Chiappucci (ITA) (1/1) | Djamolidine Abdoujaparov (URS) (1/5) | Uwe Raab (GER) (2/2) |
| 1992 | Mario Cipollini (ITA) (1/3) | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) (1/7) | Djamolidine Abdoujaparov (UZB) (2/5) |
| 1993 | Adriano Baffi (ITA) (1/1) | Djamolidine Abdoujaparov (UZB) (3/5) | Tony Rominger (SUI) (1/2) |
| 1994 | Djamolidine Abdoujaparov (UZB) (4/5) | Djamolidine Abdoujaparov (UZB) (5/5) | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) (2/7) |
| 1995 | Tony Rominger (SUI) (2/2) | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) (3/7) | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) (4/7) |
| 1996 | Fabrizio Guidi (ITA) (1/2) | Erik Zabel (GER) (1/9) | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) (5/7) |
| 1997 | Mario Cipollini (ITA) (2/3) | Erik Zabel (GER) (2/9) | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) (6/7) |
| 1998 | Mariano Piccoli (ITA) (1/1) | Erik Zabel (GER) (3/9) | Fabrizio Guidi (ITA) (2/2) |
| 1999 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) (7/7) | Erik Zabel (GER) (4/9) | Frank Vandenbroucke (BEL) (1/1) |
| 2000 | Dmitri Konyshev (RUS) (1/1) | Erik Zabel (GER) (5/9) | Roberto Heras (ESP) (1/1) |
| 2001 | Massimo Strazzer (ITA) (1/1) | Erik Zabel (GER) (6/9) | José María Jiménez (ESP) (1/1) |
| 2002 | Mario Cipollini (ITA) (3/3) | Robbie McEwen (AUS) (1/3) | Erik Zabel (GER) (7/9) |
| 2003 | Gilberto Simoni (ITA) (1/1) | Baden Cooke (AUS) (1/1) | Erik Zabel (GER) (8/9) |
| 2004 | Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) (1/3) | Robbie McEwen (AUS) (2/3) | Erik Zabel (GER) (9/9) |
| 2005 | Paolo Bettini (ITA) (1/2) | Thor Hushovd (NOR) (1/3) | Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) (2/3) |
| 2006 | Paolo Bettini (ITA) (2/2) | Robbie McEwen (AUS) (3/3) | Thor Hushovd (NOR) (2/3) |
| 2007 | No winner | Tom Boonen (BEL) (1/1) | Daniele Bennati (ITA) (1/2) |
| 2008 | Daniele Bennati (ITA) (2/2) | Óscar Freire (ESP) (1/1) | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) (1/1) |
| 2009 | Denis Menchov (RUS) (1/1) | Thor Hushovd (NOR) (3/3) | André Greipel (GER) (1/1) |
| 2010 | Cadel Evans (AUS) (1/1) | Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) (3/3) | Mark Cavendish (GBR) (1/4) |
| 2011 | Michele Scarponi (ITA) (1/1) | Mark Cavendish (GBR) (2/4) | Bauke Mollema (NED) (1/1) |
| 2012 | Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) (1/1) | Peter Sagan (SVK) (1/8) | Alejandro Valverde (ESP) (1/4) |
| 2013 | Mark Cavendish (GBR) (3/4) | Peter Sagan (SVK) (2/8) | Alejandro Valverde (ESP) (2/4) |
| 2014 | Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) (1/1) | Peter Sagan (SVK) (3/8) | John Degenkolb (GER) (1/1) |
| 2015 | Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) (1/2) | Peter Sagan (SVK) (4/8) | Alejandro Valverde (ESP) (3/4) |
| 2016 | Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) (2/2) | Peter Sagan (SVK) (5/8) | Fabio Felline (ITA) (1/1) |
| 2017 | Fernando Gaviria (COL) (1/1) | Michael Matthews (AUS) (1/1) | Chris Froome (GBR) (1/1) |
| 2018 | Elia Viviani (ITA) (1/1) | Peter Sagan (SVK) (6/8) | Alejandro Valverde (ESP) (4/4) |
| 2019 | Pascal Ackermann (GER) (1/1) | Peter Sagan (SVK) (7/8) | Primož Roglič (SLO) (1/2) |
| 2020 | Arnaud Démare (FRA) (1/2) | Sam Bennett (IRL) (1/1) | Primož Roglič (SLO) (2/2) |
| 2021 | Peter Sagan (SVK) (8/8) | Mark Cavendish (GBR) (4/4) | Fabio Jakobsen (NED) (1/1) |
| 2022 | Arnaud Démare (FRA) (2/2) | Wout van Aert (BEL) (1/1) | Mads Pedersen (DEN) (1/1) |
| 2023 | Jonathan Milan (ITA) (1/2) | Jasper Philipsen (BEL) (1/1) | Kaden Groves (AUS) (1/2) |
| 2024 | Jonathan Milan (ITA) (2/2) | Biniam Girmay (ERI) (1/1) | Kaden Groves (AUS) (2/2) |
| Year | Giro d'Italia | Tour de France | Vuelta a España |
A. $^a$ Alessandro Petacchi was the Points leader but tested positive for elevated levels of salbutamol, resulting in a suspension and forfeiture of all results during the event. No alternate winner was declared.

### Most points jerseys

| Rank | Rider | Total | Giro | Tour | Vuelta |
| 1 | Erik Zabel | 9 | – | 6 (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001) | 3 (2002, 2003, 2004) |
| 2 | Sean Kelly | 8 | – | 4 (1982, 1983, 1985, 1989) | 4 (1980, 1985, 1986, 1988) |
| 2 | Peter Sagan | 8 | 1 (2021) | 7 (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019) | – |
| 4 | Laurent Jalabert | 7 | 1 (1999) | 2 (1992, 1995) | 4 (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997) |
| 5 | Eddy Merckx | 6 | 2 (1968, 1973) | 3 (1969, 1971, 1972) | 1 (1973) |
| 6 | Djamolidine Abdoujaparov | 5 | 1 (1994) | 3 (1991, 1993, 1994) | 1 (1992) |
| 6 | Jan Janssen | 5 | – | 3 (1964, 1965, 1967) | 2 (1967, 1968) |
| 8 | Mark Cavendish | 4 | 1 (2013) | 2 (2011, 2021) | 1 (2010) |
| 8 | Freddy Maertens | 4 | – | 3 (1976, 1978, 1981) | 1 (1977) |
| 8 | Francesco Moser | 4 | 4 (1976, 1977, 1978, 1982) | – | – |
| 8 | Giuseppe Saronni | 4 | 4 (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983) | – | – |
| 8 | Alejandro Valverde | 4 | – | – | 4 (2012, 2013, 2015, 2018) |
$^i$ In 2013, Zabel admitted to taking banned substances from 1996 to 2003, including EPO and the steroid hormone cortisone.

### Career triples

Winning the points classification in each of the three Grand Tours during a cyclist's career is a significant accomplishment. The Tour/Giro/Vuelta triple has been achieved by five riders:
| Rider | Total | Giro | Tour | Vuelta |
| Eddy Merckx (BEL) | 6 | 2 (1968, 1973) | 3 (1969, 1971, 1972) | 1 (1973) |
| Djamolidine Abdoujaparov (UZB) | 5 | 1 (1994) | 3 (1991, 1993, 1994) | 1 (1992) |
| Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | 7 | 1 (1999) | 2 (1992, 1995) | 4 (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997) |
| Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) | 3 | 1 (2004) | 1 (2010) | 1 (2005) |
| Mark Cavendish (GBR) | 4 | 1 (2013) | 2 (2011, 2021) | 1 (2010) |

### Natural doubles

Winning the points classification in two Grand Tours in a single year is a rare feat.
Giro d'Italia and Tour de France :
| 1994 | Djamolidine Abdoujaparov |
Tour de France and Vuelta a España :
| 1962 | Rudi Altig |
| 1967 | Jan Janssen |
| 1985 | Sean Kelly |
| 1995 | Laurent Jalabert |
Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España :
| 1973 | Eddy Merckx |

## Days leading classification

In previous tours, sometimes a stage was broken in two (or three). "Days" column gives the number of times the cyclist was a classification leader at the end of the day. Numbers in brackets include split stages.
after the end of 2024 Vuelta a España
Legend :
* Current records
* Rider was leading in all Grand Tours
| Rank | Rider | Days | Leading span | Giro | Tour | Vuelta |
| 1 | Peter Sagan | 149 | 2011–2021 | 14 | 130 | 5 |
| 2 | Sean Kelly | 148 $^{(151)}$ | 1979–1989 | 0 | 65 $^{(67)}$ | 83 $^{(84)}$ |
| 3 | Erik Zabel | 141 $^{(142)}$ | 1996–2007 | 0 | 88 $^{(89)}$ | 53 |
| 4 | Laurent Jalabert | 105 | 1990–1999 | 2 | 25 | 78 |
| 5 | Freddy Maertens | 93 $^{(102)}$ | 1976–1981 | 9 $^{(12)}$ | 65 $^{(70)}$ | 19 $^{(20)}$ |
| 6 | Eddy Merckx | 84 $^{(91)}$ | 1968–1974 $^{(1975)}$ | 51 $^{(52)}$ | 30 $^{(35)}$ | 3 $^{(4)}$ |
| 7 | Mark Cavendish | 81 | 2009–2021 | 23 | 43 | 15 |
| 8 | Roger De Vlaeminck | 76 $^{(81)}$ | 1969–1984 | 67 $^{(71)}$ | 8 $^{(9)}$ | 1 |
| 9 | Giuseppe Saronni | 74 $^{(76)}$ | 1978–1985 | 74 $^{(76)}$ | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | / Djamolidine Abdoujaparov | 73 | 1991–1995 | 3 | 54 | 16 |
| 11 | Robbie McEwen | 69 | 2002–2007 | 18 | 51 | 0 |
Six other riders were leading points classification in all three Grand Tours: Rudi Altig, Marino Basso, Francesco Moser, Thierry Marie, Alessandro Petacchi and André Greipel. Petacchi is the sole cyclist that did this in one season (2003).
The rider with the most Grand Tour days at the top of the classification in a single calendar year is Laurent Jalabert - 35 in 1995.