The Significance of the Polka-Dot Jersey

The King of the Mountains classification is a long-standing tradition in professional cycling, and the rider who wins the polka-dot jersey is recognized as the strongest climber in the race. La Vuelta’s mountainous terrain, particularly the famous climbs like the Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga, and Alto del Gamoniteiro, offer ample opportunities for climbers to rack up points in this classification. However, winning the polka-dot jersey requires not just strength but also tactical intelligence. Climbers need to time their attacks perfectly, choosing when to break away and when to conserve energy, especially with numerous climbs over three weeks.

The winner of the King of the Mountains classification doesn’t necessarily have to be a general classification contender. In fact, many of the riders who have won the KOM jersey aren’t focused on winning the entire race but rather on excelling in individual mountain stages.

How the King of the Mountains Classification Works

The KOM competition in La Vuelta works by awarding points to the first riders over the top of each classified climb. There are four categories of climbs, with Hors Catégorie (HC) being the most difficult and Category 4 the easiest. Points are distributed according to the severity of the climb:

• HC Climbs: Award the most points (typically 10-20 points for the first rider).

• Category 1 Climbs: Offer fewer points than HC but are still significant (usually 6-10 points for the first rider).

• Category 2 Climbs: Medium-difficulty climbs offer around 5-8 points.

• Category 3 and 4 Climbs: Award minimal points, usually between 2-5 points.

The difficulty of each climb depends on factors like length, gradient, and altitude. Riders looking to win the polka-dot jersey often target breakaways on stages with multiple categorized climbs, allowing them to pick up points across several summits.

Key Stages for KOM Contenders

Certain stages in La Vuelta are particularly critical for the KOM classification. The Alto de l'Angliru is one of the toughest climbs in professional cycling, with gradients exceeding 24%. Conquering this climb often ensures a high position in the KOM rankings. Similarly, the Lagos de Covadonga and the Alto del Gamoniteiro feature prominently in La Vuelta’s mountainous stages and have been decisive in determining the KOM winner in many editions.

In addition to these iconic climbs, multi-climb stages are crucial for riders targeting the polka-dot jersey. Riders often form breakaways on these stages to pick up points over multiple categorized climbs, sometimes uncontested if the general classification riders are focused on each other rather than the KOM competition.

Famous King of the Mountains Winners

Over the years, many legendary climbers have worn the polka-dot jersey in La Vuelta, showcasing their dominance over the race’s most difficult climbs. Notable winners include:

1. Luis Herrera (1987, 1991)

Luis Herrera, a Colombian climber known for his aggressive style and ability to excel in high-altitude climbs, won the polka-dot jersey twice in La Vuelta. His victories in 1987 and 1991 showcased his prowess on Spain’s toughest ascents.

2. Robert Millar (1985, 1986)

Scottish climber Robert Millar, known for his ability to attack relentlessly on climbs, claimed the King of the Mountains title in 1985 and 1986. Millar’s aggressive riding style made him a fan favorite and cemented his place among the great climbers of his generation.

3. Richard Carapaz (2022)

Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz won the polka-dot jersey in 2022 with a remarkable performance in the mountains. Carapaz, who had already established himself as one of the best climbers in the world, added the KOM title to his growing list of accolades.

4. Remco Evenepoel (2023)

In 2023, Remco Evenepoel, one of the most exciting young talents in cycling, won the KOM jersey with an outstanding display of climbing throughout La Vuelta. Evenepoel, already a Grand Tour winner, showcased his all-around capabilities by dominating the mountainous stages.

The 2024 King of the Mountains Winner: Jay Vine

The 2024 edition of La Vuelta saw Australian climber Jay Vine of UAE Team Emirates secure the King of the Mountains title, making him the best climber of the race. Vine accumulated 78 points, narrowly beating Marc Soler, who finished second in the KOM classification with 76 points. Vine’s ability to consistently pick up points across multiple mountain stages, combined with his tactical intelligence in breakaways, allowed him to secure the polka-dot jersey in a highly competitive race​/

Vine’s victory adds to his growing reputation as one of the top climbers in the peloton. His performance on the race’s most grueling stages, including the Alto de l’Angliru and Lagos de Covadonga, showcased his climbing prowess and resilience.

Recent King of the Mountains Winners

• 2024: Jay Vine (Australia)

• 2023: Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)

• 2022: Richard Carapaz (Ecuador)

• 2021: Michael Storer (Australia)

• 2020: Guillaume Martin (France)

Tactics for Winning the Polka-Dot Jersey

Winning the King of the Mountains classification requires a specific set of tactics that are different from those needed to win the general classification or sprint stages. Riders targeting the polka-dot jersey often focus on breakaways during stages that feature multiple categorized climbs. By getting into a breakaway early, a climber can collect points uncontested at the top of each summit.

1. Timing the Breakaway

Climbers looking to win the polka-dot jersey must carefully choose the stages where they will attempt to break away from the peloton. Multi-climb stages, particularly those with Category 1 or HC climbs, offer the most opportunities to collect points.

2. Conserving Energy

While attacking on every mountain stage may seem like a good strategy, climbers must balance aggression with energy conservation. Over-exerting too early in the race can result in losing points on key stages later.

3. Avoiding GC Contenders

KOM contenders usually avoid racing directly against general classification contenders for stage wins. Instead, they focus on gaining points on the categorized climbs and often form alliances with other breakaway riders who aren’t GC threats.

Conclusion

The Polka-Dot Jersey in La Vuelta a España is a symbol of climbing supremacy and endurance, often won by riders who specialize in the art of ascending steep and grueling mountains. For riders like Jay Vine, winning the KOM classification in 2024 was the result of calculated risk-taking and remarkable climbing ability. With iconic climbs such as the Angliru and Covadonga in play, the King of the Mountains competition remains one of the most exciting aspects of La Vuelta, offering moments of pure drama and glory to the strongest riders in the race.