Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share I took these photos at the at the start of the Ster Elektrotoer (UCI 2.1) near <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Maastricht in the south of the Netherlandson>, which for the record, Barloworld?s Gasporotto won!!! They defenbded his yellow and Robbie got second on the stage behind young Cavendish.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> It was great to get so close to the riders and their equipment. What got me was how different every rider was set up. The Barloworld guys might all ride Bianchi?s, but the sprinters rode the stronger, stiffer and heavier models whilst the lighter guys rode the HC bikes which are designed for climbing (despite the fact that this stage was flat as a pancake) This was not unique to Barloworld, look at these pics. Different saddles, seatposts, handlebars, wheels etc?Even the position of their numberplates differed per rider! ?Tornado Tom? gets his own special Gold bike, whilst the other team members have to do with stock bikes. The headset and downtubes on these bikes are HUGE. Note none of the bikes have Specialized saddles?. The other thing that was how they warmed up, or rather how they don?t. These guys were in their buses until they had to sign on and then just rode to the start 20 metres away. They all got nice massages though to get the muscles loose. This is how a pro warms up: With two cars, a big bus and the biggest number o f Bianchi?s assembled outside of Italyon>, Barloworld came to impress and they did. The new TdF boytjie! Getting race instructions This is how you explain in English to an Italian mechanic that the rear wheel was a bit loose the previous day. Lots of arm waving and gesturing involved?. Robbie with hi race face on (he went on to get second, so clearly it helped!) The one team I will definitely NOT want to ride for?. The other team I DO want to ride for : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share Boogie talking to another old bloke looking at his boogie... Enough Shimano (a whole bike!) to make Big H excited for a whole week. Neutral support. Gaspa in yellow Boonen charming the crowd and the start: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share The cops here are the only people outside Boksburg that can get away with wearing white leather. And the only men. Combine it with handcuffs, cigar and sunglasses on your forehead and you have one cool policeman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singletrackmind Posted June 23, 2008 Share Nice photos!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aedon Posted June 23, 2008 Share Thanks.You must be enjoying the experiences which we never have down here.We werent able to get within 50m of the riders when we went to the Giro this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby Posted June 23, 2008 Share soeper nice !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share A young CSC fan with the green points jersey wearer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share Tinkof, leading the team classification Man, did I drool.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest colonel Posted June 23, 2008 Share All clinchers I thought they would be tubbies or is that the neutral vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gummibear Posted June 23, 2008 Share very nice photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share All clinchers I thought they would be tubbies or is that the neutral vehicle? Thought no one would notice! Indeed, clinchers - Michelin Pro race 3's on the beautiful BH machinies of the AG2r team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share Have a look at Boonen's shoes, what do they NOT have? Willehond2008-06-23 02:56:06 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest colonel Posted June 23, 2008 Share A mirror and a line of coke??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share always a clown somewhere in the pack. Holland went on to loose the quarter finals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted June 23, 2008 Share An underage girlfriend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted June 23, 2008 Share A mirror and a line of coke??? At least they are white! No, no fancy buckles or ratchets, just good ol'velcro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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