The iconic yellow jersey of the Tour de France has been as legendary as the race itself and it's been 100 years since the grand tradition of honoring the stage leader with the coveted and distinct-colored sportswear began.

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron paid a visit to the town of Pau to inaugurate a monument celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Tour's yellow jersey. The grand monument was called The Centenary Totem and was placed at the center of a space named The Tower of Giants, which celebrated the legend of the most grueling and famous cycling event on earth.

Several legendary winners of the past, Eddie Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Bernard Thevenet were part of the centenary celebrations alongside the general director of the competition Christian Prudhomme.

While speaking at the event five-time Tour de France winner Merckx said, "These are round figures, of course it's nice that the yellow jersey is 100 years old and it's nice that I won my first yellow jersey in Paris 50 years ago."

"Of course I'm proud, what do you expect. It still feels incredible 50 years later," he added.

Another Tour de France legend Raymond Poulidor, who holds the record for the most Tour de France podiums but never once wore the yellow jersey, also attended the event.

"It's great the yellow jersey is 100 years old. We'll remember whoever wins the Tour de France. 100 years, 100 years, it's a double prize. It's great, there's no other way to put it," he said.

There was a special yellow jersey cake cut by two former winners, Merckx and Hinault.

The special occasion also marked the presence of the grandson of Eugene Christophe, the first rider to ever wear the yellow jersey in 1919, and the man was greeted by Macron for his grandfather's pioneering milestone.