Saxo Bank riders were mostly on Specialized S-W🦄orks Tarmac SL4s at Scheldeprijs, with one or two Venges tossed into the mix. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 2 of 145
𒆙The welds are so well finished on Katusha's Canyon Ultimate AL frames that it can be hard to tell them apart from the carbon fiber ones. The head tube mounted housing stops are the dead giveaway, t🍸hough. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 3 of 145
A sad reminder on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) spare Spe🎃cialized S-Works Tarmac SL4. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 4 of 145
The new linkage-activated single-pivot SRAM Red brake on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S-Works Tar🍨mac SL4. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 5 of 145
SRAM PG-1070 cassettes꧃ on the bikes o🍎f Omega Pharma-QuickStep. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 6 of 145
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) runs 177.5mm-long crankarms. That guy is tall, you know.ไ (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 7 of 145
Safety tab-free alloy fork tips on the Specialized S-Works Tarm𒁏ac SL4 bikes of Omega Pharma🐽-QuickStep. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 8 of 145
Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S🍰-Works Tarmac SL4 is equipped with an older SRAM Red front derailleur (the matching Specialized-compatible chainrings apparently aren't done yet) but the chain catcher from the new𒈔 group. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Look KéO Bladꦗe pedals for Tom Boo🏅nen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep). (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 11 of 145
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) is one of the only riders in the pꦰro ranks currently on the new SRAM Red group. It's trickling out slowly but surprisingly so. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 12 of 145
Subtly tasteful paint and graphics on Tom Boonen's Omega Pharma-Quic🐷kStep Speciཧalized S-Works Tarmac SL4. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 13 of 145
Specialized does have its own range of road tuꦫbulars not but these are rebadged 25mm-wide Paris-Roubaix tubulars from FMB. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 14 of 145
Needless🐎 to say, it was tough getting anywhere near the Omega Pharma-QuickStep team bus at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 15 of 145
SRAM road PR man Michaeꦆl Zellmann tells us Omega P💜harma-QuickStep team mechanics wrap the SRAM levers in electrical tape to keep them free of dirt and debris when mounted atop the team car. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 16 of 145
Raboban𒁃k riders used a mix of Giant TCR Advanced SL and Defy Advanced SL bikes at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 17 of 145
A mix of Trek Madone🎃♛s and Domanes for Radioshack-Nissan at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 18 of 145
Radioshack-Nissan was one of few teams at Scheldeprijs using non-metallic bꦡottle cages. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 19 of 145
This was as close as we could get to the pr🦩imary race bikes of Omega Pharma-QuickStep today. Perhaps it's time to add a long lens to the kit… (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 20 of 145
Team NetApp's Simplon Pavo machine. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 21 of 145
Big chain stays and skinny seat stays like t🐎he﷽se are typically found on carbon frames but Canyon adapts the concept for Katusha's Ultimate AL bikes. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 22 of 145
Alloy Elite Ciussi cages for the K♍atusha team at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 23 of 145
Katushꦅa's fleet of Canyon bikes prior to the start of Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 24 of 145
Most of the Katusha team used 🐼Mavic's Cosmic Carbone Ultimate at Scheldeprijs save for this one set of 90mm-deep carbon tubulars. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Lotto-Belisol riders used a mix of Ridley Helium and Noah bikes at Scheldepri🔴js. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 27 of 145
Once again, Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) sports a custom paint scheme 𒀰paying homage to his nickname. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 28 of 145
SRM's new Campagnolo-compat﷽ible power meter on Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 29 of 145
Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Beliso♋l) Ridley Noah FB features integrated linear-pull brakes that are molded right into the stru🎃cture - these aren't add-on bits. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 30 of 145
Andre Greipel's🧸 (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB is set up for pure speed here༒. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 31 of 145
Not exactly the picture o💮f warm fuzziness here, but then again we're pretty sure that's🧔 exactly what Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) is going for. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 32 of 145
Heat shrink tubing seals up the noodle on Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB integrated front and rear brakes. Check out the little graphic on the back of the integra🌌ted seatmast, too. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 33 of 145
Deep🔯-section Campagnolo Bora Ultra 80 carbon tubulars for Lotto-Belisol sprinter Andre Greipel. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 34 of 145
Very cleanly executed cable and wire routing on Andre Greipe🍰l's (Lotto-Belisol) 𝔉Ridley Noah FB. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 35 of 145
Campagnol❀o Rec📖ord EPS for the riders of Lotto-Belisol. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 36 of 145
Double-🌌wrapped Lizard Skins DSP bar t♍ape for the riders of Lotto-Belisol. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 37 of 145
Tire clearance i🌌s generous on Radioshack-♉Nissan's new Trek Domane frame. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 38 of 145
White Nokon housing on Gregory Rast's (Radioshack-Nissan) n🙈🍰ew Trek Domane. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 39 of 145
_V6O7031 - Yeℱllow jersey for Hossein Ali🦹zadeh of Tabriz (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 40 of 145
The Argon 18 Gallium frames of Team Spidertech p/b C10 are notabꦅle for their unique head tubes. Extensions can be added or subtracted from the top instead of using comparatively flimsy headset spacers. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 41 of 145
Even pros don't get bra🌠nd-new stuff all the time as evidenced by this scuffed-up Team Spidertech Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleur. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 42 of 145
The stout front end of UnitedHealthcare's NeilPr🍬yde Di🌼ablo frames. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 43 of 145
UnitedHealthcare is now on NeilPryde f🗹or the 2012 season. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 44 of 145
Enve carbon rims are built aroun𒊎d Chris King hubs for t♑he UnitedHealthcare team. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 45 of 145
Arundel Dave-O carbon fiber cages and K𓄧-Edge aluminum chain keepers for the UnitedHealthcare team. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 46 of 145
This is the second Adamo saddle we've spotted in the pro ranks in B💧elgium this week, this time on the NeilPryde machine of UnitedH🍷ealthcare rider Marc De Maar. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 47 of 145
Ritchey's new WCS C260 stem on the front end of this UnitedHealthcar𝕴e NeilPryde Diablo. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 48 of 145
Vacansoleil-DCM is on FFWD wheels this season. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 49 of 145
Most of the Vacansoleil-DCM team were on Biaౠnchi Oltres at Scheldeprijs but we spotted at least one Infinito. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 50 of 145
The neatly integr▨ated seatpost bindeওr on Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre frame. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 51 of 145
A number of Vacansoleil-DCM team bikes were equipped with FSA Gossamer brakes instead of higher-end models. We're not 🎀sure why yet, particularly given they offer no advantage in terms of pad clearance or adjustments range. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 52 of 145
Check out the tail fins on the back of Vacansoleil-DCM's Biꦯanchi Oltre fork crowns. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 53 of 145
The majority of Vacansoleil-DCM used Bianchi Oltre frames at Sche🐽ldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 54 of 145
Ultra-skinny seat stays on the back end of Vacansoleil-DCM's B🌞ianchi Oltre frames. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 55 of 145
ꦛSomehꦆow we get the feeling Team Sky riders don't have the time to read all of this while racing - probably better not to try, anyway. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 56 of 145
Veloflex Aren🎃burg🎀 tubulars for Team Sky at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 57 of 145
Several Radioshack-Nissan riders - including Hayden Roulston and Gregory Rast - used Trek's new🀅 Domane frame at Scheldeprijs. We expect the full crew will be using it at Paris-Roubaix. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 58 of 145
The stout integrated ꦫchain keeper on Radioshack-Nissan's new Trek Domane frames. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 59 of 145
Time to cra🐽ck out the special Speedplay Zero pedals for Paris-Roubaix! Seen on a🐻 Radioshack-Nissan team bike here. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 60 of 145
Radioshack-Nissan rider Gregory Rast prefers the mechanical version of Shimജano's Dura-Ace group. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 61 of 145
More satellite shifters, this time on a 🌼Radioshack-Nissan team bike. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 62 of 145
50mm-deep Bontrager Aeolus 5 carbon tubular wheels a꧅nd FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular tires on this Radioshack-Nissan team bike at Schelde♈prijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 63 of 145
The interesting seat stay wishbone treatment on the back end o𝓡f Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre bikes. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 64 of 145
RusVelo is the development squad for Katusha. The💯y used BMC TeamMachine SLR01s at🔜 Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 65 of 145
Saur-Sojasun used a mix of NXR and RXR Ulteam 💛frames from supplier Time. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 66 of 145
Top mount brake levers on this Saur-🥃Sojasun Time NXR.🐲 (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 67 of 145
Sky soigneurs use a blue-topped bottle to denote plain water and an orange one for energy drink. Most of the Sky riders st♕arted with one of each at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 68 of 145
The Pinarello Dog🌞ma K of Team Sky, prepped for Scheldeprijs and soon headed to the start of Paris-Rouba💫ix. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 69 of 145
Double Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 hoods for Sky rider Juan Anton🐟io 𝓡Flecha. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 70 of 145
Sky's Jeremy Hunt sported one of the more unusual Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifter setups we've⛎ seen - sprint buttons mounted on the tops, not the drops. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 71 of 145
Most of Team Sky's Shimano Dura-Ace satellite shifters were flipped around so that there were operated by the rider's index finওger, not the thumb.🎐 (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 72 of 145
Color-𝓀matched Lizard Skins DSP tape on the bars of Vacansoleil-DCM. Unlike mo💦st foam or cork-based tapes, this polyurethane stuff is notably grippier. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 73 of 145
Katusha riders were on a mix of Canyon Ultimate AL and Ultimate CF SLX frames at Scheldep🥀rijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 74 of 145
Holy neon,෴ my eyes💯! It's certainly not hard to pick out the Farnese Vini-Selle Italia team. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 75 of 145
Valentin Iglinskiy (Astana) is using FSA and Selle Italia's new ꦦMonolink saddle and seatpost system. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 76 of 145
Sometimes head tubes just can't be short enough. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 77 of 145
Astana ran a mix of Specialized Venge and Tarmac SL4 frames𓄧 at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 78 of 145
This Astana rider omitted the standard Specialized Venge headset cone in order to get a 🙈lower bar position. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 79 of 145
Subtle paintwork and graphics 🃏🌳detailing on the Astana team-issue Specialized bikes. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 80 of 145
Astana biꩲkes were fitted with a mix of steel spoked and carbon spoked Corima wheels. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 81 of 145
This Astana Corima MCC front wheel is lighter than Aero+ model but also less aerodynamic on account of its chunky a𝓰nd round carbon fiber spokes. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 82 of 145
Champion System's Fuji SST Team bikes use press-fit bo🍬ttom braꦏckets. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 83 of 145
Oval Con🌱cepts cockpit components a♑nd SRAM Red levers on Champion System's Fuji SST Team bikes. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 84 of 145
The highly shaped🍌 head tubes on Champion System's Fuji SST Team bikes. Note the electrical tape covering the Deda logo on the stem on th🦩is one. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 85 of 145
Champion System's Fuji SS♒T Team bikes are notable for their integrated seatmasts and rather short𒀰 head tubes. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 86 of 145
Edco hubs on the bikes of Champion Systems. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 87 of 145
Seen here on the bikes of Champion System, Edco looks to be coming back to the forefront ꦓof the wheel business after several years🐻 in the shadows. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 88 of 145
This Champion System stem ♛is clearly badged♕ as Oval Products but it's a PRO underneath. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 89 of 145
As it turns out, several ♛Europcar riders are using these integrated Deda front ends, not just one. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 90 of 145
Europcar's fleet of Colnagos rest against the team bus ahead of Scheldeprijs. All were on their usual M10 machines except for one Crossꦿ Prestige. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 91 of 145
Rotor chain wat🐈chers on the Astana team bikes at Schelde♔prijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 92 of 145
Slick-looking Corima car♈bon hubs on this Astan🔯a rig. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 93 of 145
Ag2r-La Mondiale's Kuota🥃 KOM machines feature one of the most bulbous bottom bracket areaಌs in the business. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 94 of 145
Elite Ciussi alloy cages and𒁏 a 𒊎compact chain keeper on the Kuota KOMs of Ag2r-La Mondiale. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 95 of 145
SRAM may have bought Quarq but the company still supports SRM-based me✤ters, as seen on this Ag2r-La Mondiale Kuota KOM. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 96 of 145
Ag2r-La Mondiale raced Scheldprijs on these K🤪uotꦉa KOMs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 97 of 145
Ag2r-La Mond♛iale hasn't upgraded to♏ the new SRAM Red groups just yet. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 98 of 145
Michelin st🐼ill produces tubulars but only for its sponsored teams, such as Ag2r-La Mondiale. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 99 of 145
Most of the Argos-Shimano crew opted for their usual Felt F1 m💃achines at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 100 of 145
Clea♊rance on the standard Argos-Shimano Felt Fꦫ1 is sparse in contrast. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 101 of 145
The longer fork blades on Argos-Shimano's specially modified Felt F1 bikes require longer-reach brake cal🐷ipers. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 102 of 145
Clearance behind⛎ the seat tube is much more generous on Argos-Shimano's modified Felt F1s than on the s🌼tandard version. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 103 of 145
Special dropouts on Argos-Shimano's modifi♊ed Felt F1s drop the bottom bracket height for additional stability. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 104 of 145
Longer fork blades provide extra tire clearance on Argos-Shi⛦mano's specially modified Felt F1s. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 105 of 145
Felt has adapted the tricks learned over the years at Paris-Roubaix with the latest specially modified ver𒈔sions of its F1 flagship, seen here in Argos-S꧑himano livery. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 106 of 145
Argos-Shimano's Felt F1 frames can be run with either mecha✤nical or electr♛onic drivetrains with no frame modification needed. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 107 of 145
Longer stays on Argos-Shimano's modified Felt F1s yield additional tire clearance plus a longer rear center for extra stability come Sunday's cob꧋blestones.ꩵ (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 108 of 145
We're not sure what solvents Astana mechanics are using on the bikes but whatever it is, it's eating the anodization off of these SRAM ♌chainrings. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 109 of 145
This Europcar rider certainly didn’t need this much clearance🤪 for Scheldeprijs but several riders were out today on their Paris-Roubaix bikes in preparation for the bi🍃g day. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 110 of 145
Standard Hutchinson tubulars and deep-section Campagnolo carbon rims for this Europcar Colnago Cross Prꩵestige. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 111 of 145
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda) w🌸ith his usual 3T Ergosum bars, double wrappe♍d with fi'zi:k tape. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 112 of 145
We're not entirely sure wh𝓀at's in these Garmin-Barracuda Camelbak Podium bottles (we heard some kind of bicarbonate?) but whatever it is, it's fizzy and was making a big mess. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 113 of 145
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda) us♋ed Rotor Q-Rings mounted on a Rotor 3D+ crankꦯset at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 114 of 145
Tyler Farrar's (Garmin-Barracuda) Cervélo R3 just before taking the start line at 👍Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 115 of 145
Ultra-deep section Mavic carbon fiber tubular wheels for Tyler Farrar (Gꦇarmin-Barracuda) at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 116 of 145
Garmin-Barracuda rider Alex Howes sported one of the more unusual combinations we saw at Scheldeprijs: Cervél🧜o's ultra-💖aero S5 frame paired with decidedly non-aero Mavic R-Sys wheels. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 117 of 145
This is how the GreenEdge Scott CR1 team bikes wereౠ transported to the start of Scheldeprijs🦄. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 118 of 145
Elite Ciussi alloy cages for the GreenEdge Scott ꦇCR1s. The frames aren't set up with internal routing so the team has to use electꦗrical tape and zip-ties to run the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wires. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 119 of 145
Reasonably good tire clearance up front on the GreenEdge Scot♍t CR1 forꦕk. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 120 of 145
GreenEdge ꦐsprinter Baden Cooke rode thiꦡs Scott CR1 at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 121 of 145
Beefy fork 🥂tips on the GreenEdge Scott CR1s - and no, no lawyer tabs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 122 of 145
GreenEdge's new Scott CR1s are equipped with straigꦫht 1 1/8" steerer tubes for a softer ride over the cobbles. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 123 of 145
Strategically flat💃tened stays and special fiber lay-ups on the GreenEdge Scott CR1 stays yield a noticeably smoother ride over bumpy surfaces. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 124 of 145
This isn't exactly the most ideal way to run Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wires but given that the Scott 𓂃CR1 isn't equipped with internal routing, GreenEdge mechanics have to make do. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 125 of 145
A top-mounted ꦏShimano Dura-Ace Di2 satellite shifter for this GreenEdge Scott CR1. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 126 of 145
GreenEdge mechanics wrapped some electrical tape around the computer-mount interface befo🦄re the start of ꦕScheleprijs to keep the SRM PowerControl 7 head units from flying away on the cobbles. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 127 of 145
Who needs a repair s♋tand? This Garmin-Barracuda mechanics hangs the saddle on the back of his neck for a quick pre-race checkup. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 128 of 145
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 batteries are neatly mounted beneath the bottom bracket shell on the Radioshack-Nissan team bike♒s. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 129 of 145
The backꦡ of the Farnese Vini-Selle Italia team bus has a﷽ little backup camera that pops when reverse is engaged. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 130 of 145
The fork is well integrated into the rest of the frame ܫshape on Farnese Vini-Big Mat's MCipollini RB1000 bikes. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Double bar tape on this FDJ-Big Mat Lapierre S꧒ensium in preparation for Paris-Roubaix. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 134 of 145
FDJ-Big Mat's Lapierre Sensium forks feature more room beneath the crown than their usual Xeliums. Note the position of the brake pads in the ca💯liper slots. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 135 of 145
FDJ-Big Mat's Lapierre Sensium forks feature more room beneath the crown than their usuaꦰl Xeliums. Note the position of the brake pads in the caliper slots. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 136 of 145
Not that the team will use them but just in case, FDJ-Big Mat's La🌳pierre Sensium forks are fitted with fender eyelets. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 137 of 145
Flatlander gearing on this FDJ-Big Ma🍰t Lapierre Sensium in preparation for Paris-Roubaix. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 138 of 145
The Lapierre Sensium is built with a slightly longer head tube than FDJ-Big Mat's usual🧸 Xelium frame. Note the tapered di♛mensions and internal routing. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 139 of 145
FDJ-Big Mat's Lapierre Sensium rear end is longer than the X💝elium model for stability but also much sဣofter courtesy of the small elastomeric shock situated above the brake. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 140 of 145
Lapierre refers to this as its "Comfort + elastomeric connector". FDJ-Big Mat doe🐽sn't care what it's called, though - they're just hoping it takes the sting out of the cobbles. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 141 of 145
A zip tie provides some added insurance for the𝕴 battery on this FDJ-Big Mat Lapie🔜rre Xelius. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 142 of 145
FDJ-Big Mat used a mix of Lapierre Xelius and Sensium fram🃏es at Scheldepri🅰js. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 143 of 145
See that little black oval tucked inside the 'L' on this FDJ-Big Mat Lapierre Xelius? That's the unused port for the internal routing, plugged up for use with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.꧅ (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 144 of 145
FDJ-Big Mat uses these tidy number holders. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Image 145 of 145
Custom mounts ꦏlike these aren't practic♎al for most household applications but they're just the thing for transporting a lot of bikes to a race start in the cargo area of a big team bus. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Mid-week Flanders Classics race 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Scheldeprijs is a worthy feather in the cap for sure but from an equipme𒊎nt standpoint, it also serves as the final opportunity to shake out gear for Paris-Roubaix in a race situation. We've seen teams on a mix of special and ♔standard equipment in the past at Scheldeprijs – keep in mind the cobbled sections aren't terribly demanding here – and this year's running was no different.
, slightly modified in preparation for Sunday. Changes were similar to , including longer fork blades with more rake, special dropouts to lower the bottom bracket, longer chain stays, and slightly tweaked seat stays that all combine to produce a more stable and more comfortable bike with extra tire clearance than the standard F1.
RadioShack-Nissan unfortunately lost its Classics star, Fab🍎ian Cancellara, during the Ronde van Vlaanderen but three other riders still set out at Scheldeprijs aboard the new . We expect most – if not all – of the riders will be so equipped come Sunday. Also worth noting is that it looks like it's not just Cancellara that gets a shorter he🌄ad tube than on the consumer version. If that's indeed the case, that's something we believe Trek should offer to regular buyers as well as it'd make the Domane's impressively comfortable ride more suitable for racing, too.
Other teams breaking in frames for Paris-Roubaix included FDJ-Big Mat (Lapierre Sensium), 𒁏Team Europcar (Colnago Cross Prestige), Saur-Sojasun (Time NXR), Rabobank (Giant Defy Advanced SL), and Garmin-Barracuda (speci🤡ally modified Cervélo R3s).
Riders were also sussing out ways to cushion their hands.ꦡ The usual double-wrapped bar tape was in full effect on several riders' bikes but potential Paris-Roubaix winner Juan Antonio Flecha of Team Sky also sported double hoods on his levers. We spotted Lizard Skins' impressively grippy and squishy on at least two teams as well – a brand we're certainly not accustomed to seeing in these circles.
Top-mounted brake levers and Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 satellite shifters were rife in the peloton today but Team Sky's setups were perhaps most interesting. Shimano intends those shifters to be mounted such that they're thumb-actuated but most of the team's Pinarello Dogma K bikes had them flipped around for use with the riders' index fingers. Most intriguing was Jeremy Hunt's configurati🍌on – he used normally intended for the drops mounted up next to 🥃the stem.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, intervie♑ws, featu𒉰res, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
