It is determined by points awarded for placings in the daily stages, regardless of time gaps.
From 1967 to 1969 the leader wore a red jersey but in 1970 it was changed to mauve, and named the maglia ciclamino (from Italian: mauve jersey), the name of the colour in Italian being derived from the alpine flower the cyclamen.
Points are given to riders who finish among the first in a stage, independent of the time difference.
Among the winners of the points classification are Mario Cipollini (three times), Alessandro Petacchi and in 2006 the future world champion Paolo Bettini.
Riders from thirteen countries have won the Points classification in the Giro d'Italia.
It is similar to the standard points classification for which the leader and final winner are awarded the red jersey but no jersey is awarded for this classification, only a cash prize to the overall winner.