The lanterne rouge holds a strange place in cycling culture — it is simultaneously the worst position in the race and a remarkable achievement of endurance. Finishing last in the Tour de France means surviving three weeks, 3,500km, mountain passes, time trials, and the constant threat of the time cut. Historically, some riders have deliberately targeted the position: in the post-war era, the lanterne rouge received appearance fees at post-Tour criteriums, making last place more lucrative than, say, 120th. The title carries a kind of working-class heroism — the rider who refused to quit when every stage was a fight for survival.