While there is a trophy awarded to the winner of the Tour de France, the real prize is the Yellow Jersey.

Worn by the race leader, the Maillot jaune (which us Americans promptly butchered as “mellow johnny”) made its debut in either 1913 or 1919 (records are unclear) and got its rather unusual color most likely because the yellow newspaper of the race’s sponsor, L’Auto.  Since then, it has been the reason cyclists punish themselves for three weeks through the plains and mountains of France, gaining even more popularity with Lance Armstrong’s seven consecutive victories – his yellow jersey from the 2002 Tour was donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Top 10 Iconic Trophies