Tour de France Stage Winners - why do they zip up their shirts?

Question

I was wondering if it just convention that the winner of a mountain stage zips up his shirt before crossing the line, or whether there are any contractual reasons with sponors for doing this?

Any answers?

Answer 1

It's all about the team sponsors. Sponsors pay to sponsor teams so that they can get publicity. It is these sponsors that pay the riders' salaries.
A photo of the winner crossing the finish line will appear in newspapers, websites, maybe even advertisements--good publicity. So the winning rider--who wants to make sure that he'll have job next year--usually zips up his jersey, sits up and spreads his arms for the money shot.
In fact, the nature of the sponsorship system affects racing strategy and tactics. A rider on a team that has no real chance of winning might race ahead of the peloton in a breakaway just to get his sponsor's name mention and logo seen--he's not doing his sponsor any good if he's just sitting in the middle of the pack.

Answer 2

The teams primary sponsors have budgeted upwards of 12 million dollars year. The purpose of zipping up the jersey is to provide a significant caption of the sponsor. This is another reason why riders that aren't racing for a general classification go on long break away's...to give the sponsor some air time.

Answer 3

To Keep the sponsors happy. Also I guess the dont want their day of fame to be a reminder that they have no chest hair and are ghostly white!!

Robert :-)

Answer 4

For the sponsors benefit and it looks better for the cameras.

Answer 5

so people can see their sponsors because thats why their teams exist in the first place.

Answer 6

sucking *** to the sponsers man they want the big bonus haha.