During the lead-up to the Tour de France, mechanics and riders invested hours to ensure their bikes and bodies were as finely tuned and ready to roll as possible.
From applying frame numbers and timing chips, to building up complete bikes from new frames, mechanics were plenty busy. Two local riders even found themselves pulled into the effort, having been recruited by Europcar to lead a ride on familiar roads.
With stage 5 taking riders through the Arenberg Forest, of Paris-Roubaix fame, teams were prepping cobbles bikes in advance of the race as well as the standard race machines for the first three stages in England.
BikeRadar visited every team ahead of the start to bring you this in-depth photo gallery.
Teams and riders weren't the only ones preparing; medical personnel tested their equipment as well
