- Lanterne rouge
The Lanterne Rouge is the competitor in last place in a cycling race such as the
Tour de France . The phrase comes from the French "Red Lantern" and refers to the red lantern hung on thecaboose of arailway train, which conductors would look for in order to make sure none of the couplings had become disconnected. [Strickland, Bill. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121691877739881571.html "The Tour's Master of Last Place"] . The Wall Street Journal, 25 July 2008.]Cultural Uses
Tour de France
In the
Tour de France the rider who finishes last, rather than dropping out along the way, is accorded a distinction. Riders may compete to come last rather than just near the back. Often the rider who comes last is remembered, while those a few places ahead are forgotten. The revenue the last rider will generate from later appearance fees can be greater than had he finished second to last, although this was more true when riders still made much of their income from post-Tourcriterium s. [http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/8/1/Lanterne-Rouge-The-Honor-Of-Being-Last-In-The-Tour-de-France/Page1.html]Lanternes Rouges of the Tour de France
References
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