The points classification in the Vuelta a España is a secondary classification in the Vuelta a España, in which the cyclists are ranked in a points classification, based on the finish of each rider every stage.
History For the first time, a points classification was calculated in 1945, sponsored by Pirelli. It was calculated as follows: The winner of a stage received 100 points, the second 99, and so on. If cyclists arrived in a group that was given the same time, they all received the same number of points. The first five cyclists in a stage received 12 points for every minute that they arrived ahead of the number six of the stage. For every point scored for the mountains classification, two points were given for this points classification. On intermediate sprints, points could be won: 8 for the winner, 6 for the second, 4 and 2 for the next.
Although the sponsor said that the classification was a great success, it did not return the next edition.
The next time that a points classification was calculated, was in 1955. Then it used the method of adding the stage ranks, in the same way as the points classification in the Tour de France did then; just like in the Tour de France, the leader of the points classification (with the fewest points) wore a green jersey. In 1963, the points system changed such that from now on points were given to the first cyclists to reach the finish, and the cyclist with the most points was the leader.
Seán Kelly, Laurent Jalabert and Alejandro Valverde, with 4 titles each, share the record of victories.
System in use up to 2020 Type1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th13th14th15thStage finish252016141210987654321Intermediate sprint432
The Vuelta used to award an equal number of points on all stages for stage finishes. Except for time trials, stages also had one or more intermediate sprints offering points. This system paired with the high number of summit finishes at the Vuelta means there is a correlation between the overall classification and the points jersey. A good example from 2012, when sprinter John Degenkolb won five stages but only finished fourth in the points competition with Alejandro Valverde well ahead.
Current system In 2021, the Vuelta switched to a system that awarded more points for finishes of flat stages. This is more in keeping with how the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia point classifications work.
All stages, other than time trial stages, have just one intermediate sprint.
Type1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th13th14th15thStage finish (Flat stage)50302018161412108765432Stage finish (Medium Mountain stage)30252219171513119765432Stage finish (Hard Mountain stage and Time Trials)201715131110987654321Intermediate sprint2017151310
Rules
Winners of the points classification by year
YearWinnerPointsSecond placePointsThird placePointsRef(s) 1945 2347 2021 1967 1946–1948: No points classification 1949: Race not held 1950: No points classification 1951–1954: Race not held 1955 128 161 177 1956 98 187 231 1957 160 173 217 1958 202 264 265 1959 148 179 253 1960 189 214 239 1961 194 199 201 1962 143.5 256 281 1963 130 105 102 1964 167 107 76 1965 243 195 191 1966 147 142 105 1967 209 171 159 1968 142 125 122 1969 188 171 118 1970 199.5 197 172 1971 233 1972 224 126 114 1973 215.5 162 154 1974 210 186 159 1975 249.5 188 160 1976 174.5 174 171 1977 369 173 131 1978 218 157 130 1979 219 173 139 1980 313 144 116 1981 211 137 134 1982 172 133 128 1983 188 162 149 1984204 168 138 1985223 132 100 1986253 197 129 1987149 104 104 1988248 166 138 1989161 139 139 1990173 96 91 1991169 134 116 1992157 137 129 1993247 188 170 1994243 227 121 1995312 195 178 1996237163142 1997206161139 1998206158127 1999129123122 2000136123116 2001130125115 2002188163151 2003181161160 2004152144142 2005169142124 2006199163147 2007147135127 2008158137129 2009150111101 2010156149119 2011122115101 201219919316120131521261252014169146145201511811610820161009793201715815612820181311191052019155136134 2020204133111 2021250199161 2022409186138 2023315236167202422614011820252771971352026326273216
Multiple winners Wins Rider Editions 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018 2002, 2003, 2004 1959, 1965 1967, 1968 1990, 1991 2019, 20202023, 20242022, 2025
Days in leader's jersey after the end of 2026 Vuelta a España RiderDaysStages Sean Kelly8384 Laurent Jalabert 7878 Erik Zabel5353 Alejandro Valverde4242 Uwe Raab3434 Joaquim Rodríguez3232 Mads Pedersen3232 Primož Roglič3131 Wout van Aert2828 Thor Hushovd2525 Kaden Groves2525 Jan Janssen2428 John Degenkolb2424 Domingo Perurena2327 Eddy Planckaert2022 Rik Van Looy1920 Freddy Maertens1920
References