The 2015 Tour de France starts climbing on stage three, with King of the Mountains points up for grabs for the first time this year.

Won last year by Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo), the polka dot jersey has been worn by a host of famous names throughout the years thanks to success on some of the Tour’s most iconic ascents.

And the race to win it this year is likely to be keenly-fought, with 57 climbs on the 2015 route, from the Cote de Bohissau in Belgium on stage three, to the Cote de l’Observatorie en route to Paris on stage 21.

In between, the peloton will tackle giants including the Col du Tourmalet, Col du Gladon, Col de la Croix de Fer and Alpe d’Huez, with the man finishing in the maillot a pois definitely going to have to work hard for the honour.

As ever, the GC men will be among the contenders – it’s only natural they will score points as they bid claim time on each other in the mountains – but the King of the Mountains classification is also ripe for breakaway specialists and stage hunters.

Here are six riders who could be in contention.