The General Classification, or GC, is the ranking in a stage race based on a rider’s total overall time. The leader of the GC is the person who has completed all the stages in the least amount of time, not necessarily the person who won the most stages.
In the Tour de France, the leader of the GC wears the famous yellow jersey. Riders who focus on winning this overall prize are called “GC contenders” and are usually great climbers and time trialists. Every second lost to a crash or a mechanical problem can ruin a rider’s GC standing. It is the most prestigious title to win in professional road racing.
For example, a professional cyclist finishes third in today’s stage but stays in first place in the General Classification. Because they have the lowest total time across the whole week, they keep the leader’s jersey for another day. It is the ultimate prize of a long race.
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