The "yellow jersey" is a distinctive garment worn by the leader of the general classification in the Tour de France, a prestigious annual cycling race. It symbolizes the cyclist who has the fastest cumulative time over the course of the event, which typically spans three weeks and covers thousands of kilometers. Introduced in 1919, the yellow jersey is awarded after each stage of the race, with the wearer expected to defend their position against competitors. The jersey has become an iconic symbol of cycling excellence and is highly coveted among professional cyclists, representing their skill and endurance in the sport.