Professional cycling races have a long-standing tradition of awarding special jerseys to daily overall race leaders in several categories. In keeping with this popular tradition, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will signify standout performances each day by presenting specially designed jerseys in the following categories:

Amgen Race Leader Jersey: The Amgen Race Leader jersey is awarded to the rider with the least amount of elapsed time over the entire race. Depending on each day’s results, the rider wearing the Leader Jersey can change from stage to stage. Because the overall winner is based on lowest cumulative time, a rider can ultimately win the Amgen Race Leader Jersey without winning a single daily stage.

Amgen’s Breakaway From Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey:
Each day, the most courageous rider will earn Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ jersey. It will be awarded to a cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer. The jersey will not necessarily be awarded to the fastest or best cyclist of the day, but rather to the rider who best demonstrates courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination and perseverance.

Herballife Sprint Jersey:
The Sprint Jersey is awarded to the rider that accumulates the most bonus points, which are awarded based on Sprint Line performances, as well as finishing the stage in the top-15 places. Cyclists who specialize in bursts of speed, or consistently finish near the top of each stage, will have the best chance to wear this respected green jersey.

California Travel & Tourism Commission King of The Mountain (KOM) Jersey:
This jersey goes to the peloton’s strongest climber. A cyclist earns this jersey by collecting points at designated King of the Mountain (KOM) locations positioned at the tops of mountains and hills. Only the top-three cyclists who cross the line receive points towards this award.

Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey:
Each day, all riders who are under 23 years old compete for this special recognition. The recipient is determined by his overall placement at the finish line after each stage.