2023-07-03 13:15:40
The subject was broached, in a humorous tone, even before the first pedal stroke of this edition of the Tour de France 2023. Invited to justify himself Thursday during the presentation of the riders in Bilbao on his desire not to attempt to win the green jersey again, Wout van Aert shifted the debate to the topic of fashion. “I don’t like the new color,” teased the Belgian, before responding more seriously that he and his Jumbo-Visma team had other goals.
But it is a fact, the tunic which distinguishes the rider at the top of the points classification – and which Frenchman Victor Lafay (Cofidis) will wear on Monday on the third stage after his victory the day before – has evolved this year. Gone is the very light and very flashy green of the previous edition, make way for a tunic with two shades of this same color: a darker main one on the majority of the fabric, and a second more discreet one on the collar and the end of the sleeves.
The 2022 green jersey, here worn by Wout van Aert, was lighter than this year’s. AFP/Marco Bertorello AFP or licensorsSimon Yates was the first wearer of the new green jersey on stage two. AFP/Bernard Papon/Pool
A novelty driven by the sponsor of the green jersey since 2015, Skoda. In September, the Czech car manufacturer changed its logo and its graphic charter. “The new colors are intended to be more dynamic and more innovative, explains to Parisien-Aujourd’hui en France, Skoda France’s events and sponsorship manager, Océane Arnould-Dupuy. We had a green that was a little garish and not really up-to-date. There, we opted for an emerald green and an electric green. »
Colors brought to the jersey after discussions on the subject with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), organizer of the Tour de France. The brand did some trials to see which design of these new races stood out best on the tunic. “Electric green is hard to see on television on races contested in the sun, as is often the case for the Tour, notes Océane Arnould-Dupuy. It comes out very clear, almost white. So we decided to put emerald green as the main color. »
“A classier jersey”
The new jersey was baptized in March on Paris-Nice, another stage race owned by ASO. Then, it was taken out again during the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, also owned by ASO. Before being visible to the general public since Sunday, the day when the Briton Simon Yates was the first to wear it on the roads of the Tour de France after his second place the day before because his twin Adam, at the top of the points classification , was already to don the yellow.
Since then, reactions and questions on the subject have multiplied on social networks and on the roadside. And if some find the new shirt too erased, others appreciate this aesthetic change. “We are satisfied. The idea was to make an elegant, classier jersey that amateur runners would want to wear for outings, continues the head of Skoda France. It clearly reflects the move upmarket of our brand. True, it is less visible than the previous one. But it also takes a bit of time for viewers and viewers to get used to it. He’s going to get into the morals. »
Note that this is not the first time that the green of the outfit has been changed. The distinctive outfit of the leader of the points classification, most often a sprinter, was for example not the same when PMU sponsored it, until 2024.
The green jersey, here worn by sprinter Robbie McEwen in 2006, has already seen color changes. LP/Matthieu de Martignac
In addition to the green jersey, the bib of the combative of the day is also modified for this 2023 edition. The prize, sponsored by the Century 21 real estate agencies, goes from red to gray. And also becomes less visible from the public as in front of his television.
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