Lawnmowers and lots of money: Is Milan making Tour history?

Franco Bitossi (1968), Alessandro Petacchi (2010) – and soon Jonathan Milan? Two stages before the big victory celebration on the Avenue des Champs Élysées, the 24-year-old sprint specialist wears the green jersey, and his lead in the Tour de France points classification is more than comfortable. 80 points separate Milan (352) from Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar (272), who has so far eluded a triumph in the Tour points classification.

While 318 points are still at stake in the remaining 120 kilometers of the Tour de France, it's considered almost unlikely that Milan will be overtaken on the way to Paris. But what does a victory in the points classification actually mean? And why is the jersey green?

The green jersey and a lawnmower In 1953, the points classification was introduced to mark the 50th anniversary of the Tour de France. It was intended to create additional excitement within the peloton beyond the battle for overall victory. Due to the special way in which points are awarded, the showdown for the green jersey focuses primarily on the sprinters. A stage win on a flat stage, which usually ends in a bunch sprint, earns 50 points, while low-mountain stages still earn 20 points. To prevent the dominance of general classification riders, victories on high-mountain stages are rewarded with only 20 points. Intermediate sprints on the stages also create excitement mid-race.

Jonathan Milan in the green jersey. © APA/afp / LOIC VENANCE

Since its inception, the jersey has always been a striking green. The reason? The first sponsor of the classification was a lawnmower manufacturer. In the following years, sponsors varied – from bookmakers to oil companies to car manufacturers. Only once has the jersey been red, but even in that exception in 1968, a sponsor was responsible.

Milan is looking forward to a hefty prize money Despite the fact that 120 points are still up for grabs in the two remaining stages, the Milan triumph is considered a mere formality. An attack by Pogacar in the intermediate sprints would be unusual for a general classification rider, and the three-time Tour winner would also have to be involved in the fight for the stage victory. While nothing may be impossible for Pogacar, Saturday's stage is particularly suited to breakaways – and such an undertaking would probably be too risky considering the overall standings, which the Slovenian leads.

Milan is now poised to become the third Italian, after Bitossi and Petacchi, to win the points classification of a Tour de France. He already achieved this feat at the Giro d'Italia in 2023 and 2024, and now he's aiming to achieve the same feat at the Grande Boucle. While this would bring fame and glory to Milan, the green jersey also has a financial appeal: The overall winner receives €25.000, plus €300 for each day spent in the coveted jersey.

After two stage wins, 15 days in the green jersey, and a few intermediate sprint wins, Milan currently has €48.500 in prize money. This puts him in second place in the rankings behind Pogacar, who has an incredible €83.380. However, if Milan wins the points classification, he'll be able to add a substantial amount to his haul.

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Lawnmowers and lots of money: Is Milan making Tour history?

The 112th edition of the Tour de France is drawing to a close. With Jonathan Milan, an Italian in the green jersey could make history on Sunday's final stage.

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