The tradition of the cycle race leader wearing a yellow jersey began in 1919, at the Tour de France. Journalists wanted to be able to see the leading rider more easily so Tour de France director Henri Desgrange decided to give the leader a yellow jersey.

Why yellow? Some say it’s because the sponsor of the Tour de France, a newspaper called L’Auto, was printed on yellow paper. Others say it’s because France’s poor money situation after World War One meant yellow was the only colour of jersey available. Whatever the reason, canary yellow now instantly stands for success, at least in the cycling world.