Amgen tour of California 2012

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Boonen takes his second Paris-Roubaix aboard surprisingly standard machine

  • This Paris-Roubaix broom wagon (there were more than one) can carry quite a few bikes.

    This Paris-Roubaix broom wagon (there were more than one) can carry quite a few bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Ambrosio was one of the most prevalent rim brands found among the peloton at Paris-Roubaix.

    Ambrosio was one of the most prevalent rim brands found among the peloton at Paris-Roubaix.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • There was no reason for climbing gears today but Gerolsteiner mechanics are apparently fond of brass spoke head washers.

    There was no reason for climbing gears today but Gerolsteiner mechanics are apparently fond of brass spoke head washers.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • This Gerolsteiner rider went with dual top-mount levers for more control on the cobbles.

    This Gerolsteiner rider went with dual top-mount levers for more control on the cobbles.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • How many spares is too many? At Paris-Roubaix, the answer is 'you can never have enough'.

    How many spares is too many? At Paris-Roubaix, the answer is 'you can never have enough'.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Ever wonder what the rider sign in sheet looks like? Well, here you go.

    Ever wonder what the rider sign in sheet looks like? Well, here you go.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The riders didn't hit the first real section of pavé until quite a ways into Paris-Roubaix, but race organizers gave the peloton just a little taste right at the start line.

    The riders didn't hit the first real section of pavé until quite a ways into Paris-Roubaix, but race organizers gave the peloton just a little taste right at the start line.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Backstedt is a big guy and is hard on equipment but apparently felt the Zipp 303 offered enough of an advantage to run it up front.

    Backstedt is a big guy and is hard on equipment but apparently felt the Zipp 303 offered enough of an advantage to run it up front.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Simple hose clamps kept the Slipstream posts from slipping.

    Simple hose clamps kept the Slipstream posts from slipping.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Carbon rails on a Paris-Roubaix bike? Sure, why not?

    Carbon rails on a Paris-Roubaix bike? Sure, why not?

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • 46T inner chainrings were the standard for the day.

    46T inner chainrings were the standard for the day.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Tires measured 27mm wide in the rear but some riders (including Magnus Backstedt) went with a slightly narrower 24mm front.

    Tires measured 27mm wide in the rear but some riders (including Magnus Backstedt) went with a slightly narrower 24mm front.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • …and the slightly deeper 404 in back.

    …and the slightly deeper 404 in back.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The entire Slipstream team ran carbon rims, including the Zipp 303 up front…

    The entire Slipstream team ran carbon rims, including the Zipp 303 up front…

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Slipstream's Julian Dean and his teammates also passed over the Paris-Roubaix-specific bikes for the standard machines.

    Slipstream's Julian Dean and his teammates also passed over the Paris-Roubaix-specific bikes for the standard machines.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Cannondale's BB30 integrated crank-and-bottom bracket system was chastised at first but is now rapidly catching on.

    Cannondale's BB30 integrated crank-and-bottom bracket system was chastised at first but is now rapidly catching on.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • All of the Slipstream rear wheels were built with their usual PowerTap SL 2.4 hubs.

    All of the Slipstream rear wheels were built with their usual PowerTap SL 2.4 hubs.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Backstedt went with the heavier (but apparently faster) Oval Concepts fork with its unique JetStream twin-blade configuration.

    Backstedt went with the heavier (but apparently faster) Oval Concepts fork with its unique JetStream twin-blade configuration.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The stays even look radical from this angle, too.

    The stays even look radical from this angle, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Roubaix SL seat stays still strike us as impossibly fragile-looking, but looks are deceiving; a similar set carried Tom Boonen to victory today.

    The Roubaix SL seat stays still strike us as impossibly fragile-looking, but looks are deceiving; a similar set carried Tom Boonen to victory today.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Mock them if you must, but Specialized's shock-absorbed Zertz inserts work, and quite well at that.

    Mock them if you must, but Specialized's shock-absorbed Zertz inserts work, and quite well at that.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Even in stock form, there's plenty of tire clearance at either end of Gerolsteiner's bikes.

    Even in stock form, there's plenty of tire clearance at either end of Gerolsteiner's bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Like Quick Step, Gerolsteiner riders relied heavily upon Specialized's S-Works Roubaix SL model to ease the pain of the cobbles.

    Like Quick Step, Gerolsteiner riders relied heavily upon Specialized's S-Works Roubaix SL model to ease the pain of the cobbles.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Slipstream's Mike 'Meatball' Friedman isn't shy of his nickname.

    Slipstream's Mike 'Meatball' Friedman isn't shy of his nickname.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Backstedt's seat tube is fitted with a little bit of insurance.

    Backstedt's seat tube is fitted with a little bit of insurance.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • There are no carbon rails to be found on Backstedt's rig but he did run a carbon post.

    There are no carbon rails to be found on Backstedt's rig but he did run a carbon post.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Backstedt''s bars were well-padded and he also swapped out the standard Shimano hoods with aftermarket ones made by Hudz.

    Backstedt''s bars were well-padded and he also swapped out the standard Shimano hoods with aftermarket ones made by Hudz.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Other Liquigas riders called upon the Cannondale SuperSix like Pozzato but the setups were notably more conservative.

    Other Liquigas riders called upon the Cannondale SuperSix like Pozzato but the setups were notably more conservative.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Pozzato heads to the starting line.

    Pozzato heads to the starting line.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Pippo attacked the cobbles without the benefit of any extra handlebar tape or padding.

    Pippo attacked the cobbles without the benefit of any extra handlebar tape or padding.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • And you thought Dugast tires were rare? Try finding a set of FM-Boyaux tires like what was on Boonen's bike straight through from start to finish.

    And you thought Dugast tires were rare? Try finding a set of FM-Boyaux tires like what was on Boonen's bike straight through from start to finish.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Boonen had several bikes at his disposal but relied upon the softer ride of the Roubaix, rather than his standard Tarmac SL2, to tame the cobbles.

    Boonen had several bikes at his disposal but relied upon the softer ride of the Roubaix, rather than his standard Tarmac SL2, to tame the cobbles.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Tom Boonen took his second Paris-Roubaix victory in a three-up sprint aboard the Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL.

    Tom Boonen took his second Paris-Roubaix victory in a three-up sprint aboard the Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • How many spares is too many?

    How many spares is too many?

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Like Quick Step, Gerolsteiner riders

    Like Quick Step, Gerolsteiner riders

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Simple hose clamps

    Simple hose clamps

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Slipstream's Julian Dean

    Slipstream's Julian Dean

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Filippo Pozzato also decided

    Filippo Pozzato also decided

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • High Road's George Hincapie

    High Road's George Hincapie

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • It's already tough to be Tom Boonen sometimes

    It's already tough to be Tom Boonen sometimes

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Think Dugast tires are rare?

    Think Dugast tires are rare?

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Boonen had several bikes at his disposal

    Boonen had several bikes at his disposal

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Boonen ran long 177.5mm crankarms.

    Boonen ran long 177.5mm crankarms.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Like most riders today, Boonen opted for a rather largish 53/46T chainring combination.

    Like most riders today, Boonen opted for a rather largish 53/46T chainring combination.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Even the spare used carbon tubular rims, although these were decidedly shallower and fitted with bigger tires.

    Even the spare used carbon tubular rims, although these were decidedly shallower and fitted with bigger tires.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Pozzato's secondary bike was rather similar to the main rig.

    Pozzato's secondary bike was rather similar to the main rig.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A keen eye, a sharp pick and a bottle of glue helps extend the life of tubulars and keeps punctures at bay.

    A keen eye, a sharp pick and a bottle of glue helps extend the life of tubulars and keeps punctures at bay.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A Liquigas team mechanic preps Pozzato's bike the day before Paris-Roubaix.

    A Liquigas team mechanic preps Pozzato's bike the day before Paris-Roubaix.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Pozzato's bottles wore fabric covers… perhaps for a better grip?

    Pozzato's bottles wore fabric covers… perhaps for a better grip?

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • ...and surprisingly skinny 23mm-wide tires at the start.

    ...and surprisingly skinny 23mm-wide tires at the start.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Pozzato opted for deep-section carbon tubulars…

    Pozzato opted for deep-section carbon tubulars…

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Want your bike to look like Pozzato's? Maybe you should get a hold of these guys.

    Want your bike to look like Pozzato's? Maybe you should get a hold of these guys.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Pippo's flowery theme carries through to the top tube design (and check out the sparkly paint).

    Pippo's flowery theme carries through to the top tube design (and check out the sparkly paint).

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Filippo Pozzato also decided to go with something a little more familiar as he reverted back to the bike he used at Milano-Sanremo, at least for the first 100km or so.

    Filippo Pozzato also decided to go with something a little more familiar as he reverted back to the bike he used at Milano-Sanremo, at least for the first 100km or so.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • High Road's George Hincapie passed over his specially built Paris-Roubaix machine and instead went with his usual Giant TCR Advanced SL Team.

    High Road's George Hincapie passed over his specially built Paris-Roubaix machine and instead went with his usual Giant TCR Advanced SL Team.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • It's already tough to be Tom Boonen sometimes and his second Paris-Roubaix win will certainly make it harder (at least in this respect!).

    It's already tough to be Tom Boonen sometimes and his second Paris-Roubaix win will certainly make it harder (at least in this respect!).

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Tom Boonen took his second Paris-Roubaix victory

    Tom Boonen took his second Paris-Roubaix victory

    Photo credit © Cycling News