Specialized were waiting in the wings with a bright yellow frameset in case one of their riders was in yellow. They didn’t have to wait long, either, after Fabian Cancellara assumed the role as race leader after winning the prologueJames Huang
Lots of carbon fibre and Specialized’s oversized bottom bracket system help yellow jersey wearer Fabian Cancellara put the power downJames Huang
Cancellara’s Roman-inspired shield adorns the top tube as usualJames Huang
Zipp get into the game, too, with yellow decals on the 404 carbon tubular wheelsJames Huang
Fabian Cancellara was our first rider in yellow after a convincing prologue winJames Huang
Yellow accents adorn Cancellara’s SRAM Red LTE DoubleTap lever but shortly after this shot was taken, the hoods were swapped for yellow onesJames Huang
Saxo Bank team mechanic Roger Theel swaps Cancellara’s white brake hoods for yellow ones prior to setting off on Stage 1James Huang
Two hoods off, two hoods on: team mechanic Roger Theel fitted yellow hoods on Cancellara’s rig in less than three minutesJames Huang
Check out the SRAM Red LTE group’s yellow accents and the gold chainring bolts (and pedal end caps!) on Fabian Cancellara’s Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3James Huang
SRAM’s Red LTE group features lots of black anodising accented with yellow highlights. Only top riders in the Tour de France can get it at the moment but consumers will be able to buy their own later this yearJames Huang
Cancellara had a bright all-yellow machine to mark his status as GC leader but even his standard bike is special with gold-accented SRAM Red components to celebrate his Olympic gold medalJames Huang
Gold accents are also on Cancellara’s SRAM Red DoubleTap levers while his bars get finished with Swiss flag tapeJames Huang
Andy Schleck’s metal-look Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 is decorated to celebrate his Luxembourg heritage – and yes, that’s brother Frank’s bike just next to itJames Huang
The Saxo Bank camp is chock-full of custom painted bikes this year – both Schleck brothers and current race leader Fabian Cancellara all get the treatment but the Luxembourg-themed bikes are decidedly more ornateJames Huang
The custom painted frames gleam almost like they’re metal but they’re definitely carbon fibreJames Huang
The Luxembourg flag’s red lion gets translated into black here but it’s striking nonethelessJames Huang
The giant 1-1/8 to 1-1/2in tapered front end leaves lots of design room on Andy Schleck’s custom painted bikeJames Huang
Andy Schleck’s Specialized FACT carbon crankset is dressed up with blue anodised aluminium chainring boltsJames Huang
We’re guessing Andy Schleck is either too fond of this saddle to switch or Prologo haven’t had enough time to create a 2010 versionJames Huang
SRAM Red derailleurs fitted with oversized Berner carbon fibre cages and pulleys are a hot item at this year’s Tour with users including both of the Schleck brothers, team-mate Fabian Cancellara, and Lance Armstrong (Team RadioShack)James Huang
Details, details: most Saxo Bank bikes get silver cable end caps, Nicki Sorensen gets red ones, and the Schlecks’ are blueJames Huang
Saxo Bank’s standard paint job essentially carries over from last seasonJames Huang
Saxo Bank riders have their choice of FSA bar types. Here Andy Schleck goes for a traditional bendJames Huang
Saxo Bank hardman Jens Voight prefers FSA’s semi-anatomic curve. All of the team’s bars are wrapped with grippy Specialized Roubaix tapeJames Huang
Saxo Bank’s Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 machines before the start of Stage 2James Huang
Even with the fully standard gearing, chain watchers are deemed worth the weight to provide insurance against a dropped chainJames Huang