Since 1931, the leader of the general classification has been identified by a pink jersey (Italian: maglia rosa [ˈmaʎʎa ˈrɔːza]).

[1] Prior to that year and since the creation of the race, no colour was used to distinguish the winner at the top of the classification.

The first rider to wear the maglia rosa was Learco Guerra following the first stage of the 1931 Giro d'Italia.

[2] To celebrate the 2009 Giro d'Italia which was on the 100th anniversary of the race's beginning in 1909, the jersey had side panels displaying the Italian colors of green, white, and red and was designed by Dolce and Gabbana.

In comparison, the leader of the general classification in the Tour de France is awarded a yellow jersey, which originally corresponds with the yellow newsprint of L'Auto, the newspaper that created the Tour de France.