Leaders Jerseys

[avanti]

At the end of a stage leaders are presented with a jersey that is impractical for racing in.

Who supplies the jerseys that the leaders then wear on the next day? Do the teams carry a supply of leaders jerseys just in case they take the lead.

I notice in the Tour of California, for example, the award jerseys were by Champion but the jerseys that leaders wore for racing were made by different suppliers.

 

[lexalbrecht]

In the biggest races, the teams' clothing sponsors can have a leaders jersey made for them. Special helmets, shoes, etc. can also be prepared.

This is important so that the racers and teams stay "sponsor-correct", wearing only the brand that they are supposed to represent, and that they have a mutually supportive relationship with.

Take for example when Voeckler was in yellow in the Tour de France. His team, Europcar, was sponsored by Louis Garneau clothing. Garneau had special yellow gear made for him last minute, and shipped from Canada to France in time for him to wear in the race.

In other cases when riders are "expected" to wear a leader's jersey in a certain race, sponsors sometimes have some material ready beforehand.

 

[sponsor]

UCI allows a small space to be used for the team / sponsor. Often "lessor" teams in "lessor" events will produce a patch that can fit there. The big televised races tend to have the jerseys made up.

I am not aware of all the national jerseys and rules.