Tour Tidbit du Jour - 7/6/2011

The sprint points are not the only rules that have changed for the Tour this year, as the King of the Mountains points have also changed dramatically from last year. Whereas HC (above category) climbs last year were 20 points for the first rider over the summit, with points available for the first 10, 1st Category climbs were 15 for first place and 8 placings, 2nd Category were 10 points for 6 placings, 3rd Category were 4 for 4 placings, and 4th Category were 3 points for 3 placings, this year, the climber's jersey at the end of the race will only be for the true climbers instead of the breakaway artists picking up mountain points before the big climbs. Cat 4 is only 1 point. Cat 3 is only 2 points for the first two. Cat 2 is only 5 points for the first 4. Cat 1 is 10 points for the 6, and HC is just double Cat 1 at 20 points for the first 6. This may be the first year, because of all the mountain top finishes, that the yellow jersey winner will also wear the polka dot jersey.