Spaniard José Luis Laguía has won this classification a record five times, including three consecutive.

In 2010, David Moncoutié considered retirement, but remained a professional cyclist to try to win his third consecutive mountains classification.

As of 2010, the leader of the mountains classification is awarded a white jersey with blue dots.

The organisation of the Vuelta designates which climbs are given points, and in which category they fall.

If that does not solve the problem, the cyclists with the most high climb finishes wins gets the higher ranking.