Fine-tuning the position of Peter Stetina's brake levers with a handy measuring tool - Robin Wilmott / Future Publishing
Who knew a turbo trainer front wheel riser block had an ingenious alternative use? - Robin Wilmott / Future Publishing
A Cannondale Pro Cycling mechanic preparing the rider's frame numbers and timing chips for fitting - Robin Wilmott / Future Publishing
Our sense of aesthetics can't help feeling this frame number could have been better placed - Robin Wilmott / Future Publishing
The AG2R team's frame numbers are ready for fitting - Robin Wilmott / Future Publishing
Pro mechanics' work is equal parts wrenching and logistics - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Race bikes and spare bikes alike are overhauled before the Tour starts - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
A few bikes arrived at the Tour fresh from other races - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
The day before the Tour began, two local riders, Tim Curtis and Paolo Corcoran, found themselves taking Europcar out for a ride as local guides - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
With millions of eyes on the riders, non-sponsor-correct products are blacked out - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
With stage 5 tackling the Arenberg Forest of Paris-Roubaix fame, many teams were testing out their cobbles bikes before the race started - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
While riders get to choose many variations of their gear, including chainrings, this bike seems unusual - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
A 50/34 compact on a Team Sky machine? - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
That compact crank would belong to Team Sky manager Dave Brailsford - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
An actual rider, Danny Pate, had 53/44 rings on his stage 5 bike - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Cleaning bikes is a non-stop process. Note the yellow cover for the Stages power meter, put on for washing - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Tinkoff-Saxo Bank recently switched over from Zipp to Specialized's Roval wheels. You'll likely see the Zipps come on for the time trial, however - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Saddle bags on professionals' bikes? Right before the Tour, perhaps - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Tinkoff-Saxo Bank has two clothing bags per rider - the bottom portion holds shoes separately - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Matteo Tossato shows off the contents of his clothing bag, from the neck gaiter in his hand to multiple base layers. The most important piece, he said, is the Gabba rain jacket - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
The Sportful Hot Pack vest and jacket pack down to tiny balls - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Team trucks and busses are rolling water fountains - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Tinkoff-Saxo Bank boss Bjarne Riis, a former Tour de France winner himself, chats with Nicolas Roche - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Another former Tour de France winner, Alberto Contador, chose to start the race on a Specialized Tarmac - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Soigneurs stock the bikes with bottles just before the riders arrive - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Before the race, Fabian Cancellara obliges fans with photos - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Mechanics aren't the only ones who need to check their gear. Medical personnel go through a practice session of evacuating an injured person - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
This man in the neck brace is smiling because he is only a test dummy - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
As Tour de France rules state that the squad leading the team general classification must wear yellow helmets, Trek had a box of yellow lids shipped to them at the start of th race. Unfortunately, the helmet manufacturer included last year's sponsors' logos, which will surely be removed before the helmets are seen - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
While conversations with mechanics can get heated as the three-week race wears on, for now most riders are civil - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
As a general rule for amateurs, you should never put on new parts the night before a big event. But these mechanics are pros - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
As basic as a gear shift check is, it's a vital last step for every bike - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
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.
This man in the neck brace is smiling because he is only a test dummy: this man in the neck brace is smiling because he is only a test dummy - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Teams and riders weren't the only ones preparing; medical personnel tested their equipment as well
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
