Tour de France trivia from Team CSC: The leader’s yellow jersey color was chosen in 1917 because it was the color of the newsprint used by race sponsor newspaper, L’Auto (now L’Equipe). Those stuffed lions the winners receive on the podium are from sponsor Crédit Lyonnaise. The podium itself is mobile and travels with the tour inside a large truck. A publicity caravan leaves two hours before the stage begins and tosses souvenirs to waiting fans.