France, "lanterne rouge" (French for "red lantern") refers to the laste-place finisher in teh general classification. It's a term borrowed from railway terminology, where a red lantern was attached to the last car of a train to signal its presence. While it signifies the end of the pack, the "lanterne rouge" in cycling is often seen as a symbol of perseverance and the courage to finish, even when victory is out of reach.
