Combination classification in the Vuelta a España
The combination classification was one of the primary awards in the Vuelta a España cycling stage race. This classification was calculated by adding the numeral ranks of each cyclist in the general, points, and mountains classifications (a rider must have had a score in all classifications possible to qualify for the combination classification), with the lowest cumulative total signifying the leader of this competition.[1][2]
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Sport | Road Cycling |
---|---|
Competition | Vuelta a España |
Awarded for | Winner combination classification |
Local name | Jersey Blanco ![]() |
History | |
First award | 1970 |
Editions | 31 (as of 2018) |
Final award | 2018 |
First winner | ![]() |
Most wins | ![]() |
Most recent | ![]() |
From 2006 to 2018, the leader of the classification wore a white jersey; in 2005 it was a golden-green jersey.
The award strongly favoured top riders in the competition. Since its re-introduction in 2002, it was only won by someone other than the race's overall winner four times: in 2002, 2003, 2012, and 2015. On all four of those occasions, the winning cyclist was placed either second or third in the overall classification.
The combination classification was discontinued in 2019. Now, the white jersey is worn by the best young rider.[3]
The Vuelta was the last major race to feature a combination classification.[4]
Winners
- 1970
Guido Reybrouck (BEL)
- 1971
Cyrille Guimard (FRA)
- 1972
José Manuel Fuente (ESP)
- 1973
Eddy Merckx (BEL)
- 1974
José Luis Abilleira (ESP)
- 1985
Robert Millar (GBR)
- 1986
Sean Kelly (IRL)
- 1987
Laurent Fignon (FRA)
- 1988
Sean Kelly (IRL)
- 1989
Oscar Vargas (COL)
- 1990
Federico Echave (ESP)
- 1991
Federico Echave (ESP)
- 1992
Tony Rominger (SUI)
- 1993
Jesús Montoya (ESP)
- 2002
Roberto Heras (ESP)
- 2003
Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
- 2004
Roberto Heras (ESP)
- 2005
Denis Menchov (RUS)
- 2006
Alexander Vinokourov (KAZ)
- 2007
Denis Menchov (RUS)
- 2008
Alberto Contador (ESP)
- 2009
Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
- 2010[5]
Vincenzo Nibali (ITA)
- 2011
Chris Froome (GBR)
- 2012
Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
- 2013
Chris Horner (USA)
- 2014
Alberto Contador (ESP)
- 2015
Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP)
- 2016[6]
Nairo Quintana (COL)
- 2017
Chris Froome (GBR)
- 2018
Simon Yates (GBR)
Most wins
Rank | Cyclist | Total | Years |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | 2003, 2009, 2012 |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 2008, 2014 |
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2 | 1990, 1991 | |
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2 | 2011, 2017 | |
![]() |
2 | 2002, 2004 | |
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2 | 1986, 1988 | |
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2 | 2005, 2007 |
References
- "The jerseys of the Vuelta a España". inrng.com. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- "A beginner's guide to the Vuelta a España". Yellow Jersey. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- "Vuelta a Espana introduces young rider jersey in 2019". Cycling News. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- "Javier Guillén: "Unipublic se opone a la". Ciclismo a Fondo (in Spanish). 16 January 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- "Vuelta a España Results". UCI. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- Windsor, Richard (11 September 2016). "Nairo Quintana wins 2016 Vuelta a España; Nielsen takes final stage sprint". cyclingweekly.com. Retrieved 26 June 2022.