What is the nickname for the last-place finisher in the Tour de France?

The nickname for the last-place finisher in the Tour de France is lanterne rouge.

French for “red lantern,” lanterne rouge refers to the red light traditionally carried at the rear of a railway train. The light helped signalmen see that the final carriage was still attached, making it a fitting metaphor for the rider at the back of the overall classification.

The designation is not an official jersey or prize in the same sense as the yellow, green, or polka dot jerseys. It is a distinction given to the last rider who completes the Tour, rather than to someone who abandons the race. Despite its apparently negative meaning, the lanterne rouge can bring considerable publicity and post-Tour appearance opportunities.

The tradition has occasionally encouraged riders to protect last place. In 1979, Philippe Tesnière deliberately rode slowly in a time trial while competing for the position, but he missed the time limit and was eliminated. In 2018, Lawson Craddock became the first rider to hold last place after every stage, raising more than $250,000 for a damaged velodrome.