From Rainbow to Yellow: Why Tadej Pogacar Is Racing in the World Champion’s Jersey
If you’ve been watching the 2025 Tour de France and wondering why Tadej Pogacar isn’t in his regular UAE Team Emirates kit, you’re not alone. Casual fans and new viewers might be puzzled by the white jersey with those iconic rainbow bands — but in the world of cycling, that’s the sport’s most prestigious garment.
So what’s the story behind Pogacar’s rainbow stripes? Let’s explain.
🌈 What Is the Rainbow Jersey?
The rainbow jersey is awarded to the reigning UCI World Road Race Champion. It’s one of cycling’s most cherished honours, only worn by the rider who wins the annual one-day World Championships, a single race held every autumn.
The design is simple but iconic: a white base with five horizontal bands across the chest representing the five continents — blue, red, black, yellow, and green.
Whoever wins that title has the right to wear the rainbow jersey in all road races (except for time trials) until the next World Championships.
How Did Tadej Pogacar Win It?
Tadej Pogacar claimed his rainbow stripes at the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zürich, Switzerland. In a dramatic solo attack on the final climb, Pogacar distanced the likes of Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, and Mathieu van der Poel to take the win — his first World Championship title.
It was one of the most dominant performances of his career and cemented his place among the sport’s greats.
Why Is He Wearing It at the Tour de France?
Per tradition and UCI regulations, a reigning World Champion wears the rainbow jersey in all road races — including Grand Tours — during their championship year. So even though Pogacar rides for UAE Team Emirates, he swaps the team’s standard kit for his personalized World Champion’s jersey throughout the 2025 Tour de France.
It’s a rare and prestigious sight: only a handful of riders in history have lined up for the Tour wearing the rainbow stripes, and even fewer have challenged for yellow while doing so.
🟡 Can He Wear Yellow and the Rainbow Together?
Good question — and here’s the rule: if Pogacar takes over the race leader’s maillot jaune (yellow jersey), he must wear that instead. The yellow jersey supersedes all others in the Tour de France.
So if Pogacar claims yellow on a mountain stage or time trial, you’ll see him swap his rainbow jersey for the Tour’s famous leader’s jersey until or unless he loses it again.
The Significance of the Rainbow Jersey in the Peloton
The rainbow stripes aren’t just for show — they carry serious weight in the peloton. Riders wearing it are highly respected, and their every move is closely marked.
Wearing the rainbow jersey in the Tour de France adds a layer of expectation and pressure. The last rider to win both the World Championships and the Tour de France while wearing the rainbow jersey in the same year? That was Greg LeMond in 1990 — a feat Pogacar is keen to emulate.
📊 Fun Fact: Famous Tour de France Rainbow Jersey Wearers
- Eddy Merckx (1975)
- Greg LeMond (1990)
- Gianni Bugno (1992)
- Cadel Evans (2011)
- Peter Sagan (multiple years)
Now, it’s Pogacar’s turn.
Final Thoughts
Tadej Pogacar’s rainbow jersey isn’t just a nod to his immense talent — it’s a badge of honour he earned in Zürich last year, and a reminder of cycling’s rich history. As he battles for yellow over the next three weeks, he carries not only the hopes of UAE Team Emirates but also the prestige of the World Champion’s stripes.
So next time you spot him in the bunch, those rainbow bands mean one thing: you’re watching the reigning world champion in action.
