SLO Tour characterized by “U377”

Is “U377” some kind of secret code? No. It’s just a professional color code that is mostly known to graphic designers and printers and represents the green color that will rule this year’s Tour of Slovenia. Green color is a trademark of Slovenian Tourism Board and country of Slovenia. This is why we’ll have the leaders jersey in green for the first time ever – this is something really new for the 24^th edition of Tour of Slovenia and something unique on the c

Yellow jersey is usually associated with the best cyclist on the stage race, but that is not always the case. Unofficial rule say that leader of Tour the France is in yellow and many race organizers follow that rule. This tradition goes back to 1919, when Tour de France founder Henru Desgrange “invented” this kind of jersey for the race leader. French rider Eugène Christophe was first who wore it. Yellow was chosen because of title sponsor, newspaper L’Auto (later L'Équipe) that was printed on the yellow paper. Later other organizers started to copy this tradition and putting their race leaders in the colors of big sponsors. Pink jersey is as famous as the yellow one, this one is of course on the shoulders of race leader on Giro d’Italia. Pink color was chosen because sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport – also an organizer of the race – is printed on pink paper.

Organizers of Tour of Slovenia chose to change the color of the leader’s jersey for the 24^th edition and beyond, they had multiple reasons to do so. Green color is a symbol of green Slovenia, it represents sustainable development, green mobility and healthy way of living. Green color U377 is also the trademark color of the most recognizable Slovenian slogan I feel Slovenia; this slogan is also the symbol of Slovenian Tourism Board, one of the main partners for the race. “Fight for Green” is also part of mission with virtually all sponsors and partners of the race, from Adria Mobil to Telekom Slovenije, Siol, Fiat and Slovenian municipalities that will welcome riders on this year’s race. Winner of first stage – from Koper to Kočevje – will automatically put his name in the history of the race as the first ever rider to wear our green jersey.

Cycling also influences other sports. Winter sports are for example looking up to how it’s done in cycling and now also have yellow and read jerseys for leaders in the standings, and get more attention of the fans and media thanks to that.

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