The points classification is the prize that most concerns the sprinters at the Tour de France and, as suggested by its name, is based on a points system, rather than collated time.
Last year’s winner was Eritrean Biniam Girmay, who won three stages to finish ahead of 2023 hero Jasper Philipsen in the battle for the green jersey.
There is an added carrot for the contenders this year. The 2024 Tour finished in Nice due to Paris’ hosting of the Olympics. However, the race returns to the City of Lights for the famous final day dash along the iconic cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees.
Latest Tour de France betting odds
Here are bet365’s latest betting odds for the points classification at the 2025 Tour de France.
Odds correct at time of publication and subject to change
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How does the points classification work?
Among the Tour de France’s may beauties is that there is something for everyone.
For those muscular riders who struggle through the mountains, their reward comes in dashing for glory on the flat and the chance to wear the green jersey.
The garment is reserved for the leader of the points classification. Points are awarded for winning stages and intermediate sprints located along the route. The number on offer is decided on the classification of that day’s parcours.
The first 15 riders across the line are awarded a descending number of points with the flat days carrying 50 points for the winners, hilly days 30 and mountain stages and individual time-trials 20 to help favour the sprinters.
Riders can also add to their tallies in intermediate sprints in which the first 15 men across the line are again awarded points.
There are seven designated flat stages in 2025 but consistency is key in the points classification and being towards the front where possible on the six hilly days is an avenue some of the contenders are certain to explore.
Who are the key contenders for the green jersey?
Lidl-Trek’s Jonathan Milan leads the market and makes his Tour debut with the support of his team following the decision to send colleague Mads Pedersen to May’s Giro d’Italia.
Pedersen won the points jersey at the Giro after Milan took the prize in 2023 and 2024.
The time feels right for him to step up to La Grande Boucle after a strong Classics campaign and taking the points prize at Tirreno-Adriatico and UAE Tour, as well as winning a stage at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Milan has the backing of a brilliant sprint train featuring Ed Theuns, Simone Consonni and Jasper Stuyven and is the leading candidate to take the first yellow jersey of 2025 in Lille.
Jasper Philipsen has enjoyed plenty of success on the Tour de FranceCredit: Getty Images
Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Jasper Philipsen won three stages in 2024 and has recorded victories at the last three Tours.
The Belgian has made little secret of his desire to win a second green jersey after his success in 2023 and will have Mathieu van der Poel on hand for support, while Kaden Groves also boosts his team’s lead-out depth.
Tim Merlier leads Soudal-QuickStep’s sprint ambitions after winning twice at both Paris-Nice and the UAE Tour, as well as recording a one-day success at Scheldeprijs.
Merlier returns to the Tour for the first time since 2021 but may not have the consistency to stay in contention for three weeks, and his ambitions may also be hampered by teammate Remco Evenepoel’s GC bid.
Outsiders to note
All-rounders like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike could thrive in the first week, but they may also be compromised by their domestique duties.
Last year’s winner Biniam Girmay might also be a shorter price than he should be given his poor form, which is indicative of Intermarche-Wanty’s difficult year.
Dylan Groenewegen has won six stages in his previous five Tours and is supported by Jayco-AlUla’s strong sprint train of Mauro Schmid, Elmar Reijnders and Luka Mezgec. Groenewegen’s 2025 form has been patchy, winning at smaller races such as the Tour of Slovenia and the Tour de Hongrie but failing to upset any of the big guns.
The Dutchman could be better suited to seeking out stage wins rather than targeting the points prize.
He’s everywhere else, so it is also worth noting Tadej Pogacar’s price. The Slovene is the favourite for the general classification but his inability to resist going for victories when a chance arises means he could gain points on the hilly days as well as in the mountains.
Dylan Groenewegen has picked up some of the lower-profile events this seasonCredit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
Prediction & analysis
Milan is Italy’s great sprint hope and arrives at his debut Tour after two years of dominating at the Giro and with a powerful team behind him.
The 24-year-old has demonstrated his versatility by winning on different terrain and he may also back himself to add to his tally by getting in the break on the more difficult stages where early intermediate sprint points are available.
That isn’t Philipsen’s style and he will need to be flawless on the flat, as will Merlier. Merlier may also have days where he needs to sacrifice himself early in stages to help Evenepoel, as will Van der Poel and Van Aert, who lack top-level speed.
Their bids might depend on holistic efforts that include taking what they can in the sprints, looking for solo opportunities and infiltrating breakaways to build their tallies.
Expert verdict & best bet
Form and squad strength make Lidl-Trek’s Milan the right favourite for this classification and he can make it three out of three when it comes to leaving a Grand Tour with the points jersey on his back.
The Tour is step up from the Giro but the broad-shouldered Italian is ready for the challenge.
Jonathan Milan to win the points classification
1pt 2-1 general
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Read more on the Tour de France:
Tour de France 2025 predictions, tips and odds: Who will win the yellow jersey?
Tour de France 2025 predictions, tips and odds: Who will win the yellow jersey?
Tour de France FAQs
When is the 2025 Tour de France?
The 112th Tour de France begins on Saturday, July 5 in Lille and concludes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday, July 27.
Who are the favourites to win the 2025 Tour de France?
Tadej Pogacar is the odds-on favourite to win a fourth yellow jersey after winning the Tour in 2020, 2021 and last year, when he beat two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard by over six minutes.
Who is the defending Tour de France champion?
Slovenia’s world champion Tadej Pogacar won a third Tour de France title in 2024 and lines up as the overwhelming favourite.
Why does the Tour de France leader wear a yellow jersey?
The leader of the Tour de France wears a yellow jersey, or the maillot jaune, to signify their status at the top of the general classification. Yellow was chosen because the race’s original sponsor, L’Auto, was printed on yellow paper.
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