Scott took the trouble of depicting different scenes on the inner and outer legs of Andre Greipel's (Columbia-HTC) Addict fork. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Lampre-Farnese Vini saddle supplier Selle San Marco topped off Alessandro Petacchi's bike with a similarly colored Regale saddle. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andre Greipel's (Columbia-HTC) Shimano Dura-Ace brakes are fitted with the company's latest carbon-specific blocks. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andre Greipel's (Columbia-HTC) Scott Addict frame uses press-fit bottom bracket cups. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Multi-sided tubing is featured on Sacha Modolo's (Colnago-CSF Inox) new Colnago C59. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Colnago-CSF Inox sprinter Sacha Modolo's nickname is 'cannibal' and this is apparently one artist's rendering. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Slender seat stays are used on the rear end of Sacha Modolo's (Colnago-CSF Inox) custom painted Colnago C59. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Yes, Campagnolo pedals are apparently alive and well, appearing on not only Sacha Modolo's (Colnago-CSF Inox) bike but those of his teammates, too. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Internal cable routing is features on Sacha Modolo's new Colnago C59 - and we're guessing the entry point is removable for use with Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 wires, too. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Colnago provided sprinter Sacha Modolo (Colnago-CSF Inox) with this custom painted - and all-new - Colnago C59. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Up front on Sacha Modolo's (Colnago-CSF Inox) new Colnago C59 is a beefy-looking carbon fork with a tapered steerer. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The aluminum dropouts on Sacha Modolo's (Colnago-CSF Inox) Colnago C59 are slightly hollowed out to save a few grams. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The chain watcher on Andre Greipel's (Columbia-HTC) Scott Addict not only help keep the chain in place but also secure one section of the wiring harness to the frame. (Image credit: James Huang)
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A small hole just behind the head tube on Andre Greipel's (Columbia-HTC) Scott Addict provides a handy entry point for the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wire. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The rest of Andre Greipel's (Columbia-HTC) Scott Addict features a jungle-inspired paint scheme. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Wilier provided Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) with this boldly finished Cento 1 Superleggera. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The distinctive carbon weave is a nice touch on Alessandro Petacchi's (Lampre-Farnese Vini) Wilier Cento 1 Superleggera. (Image credit: James Huang)
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It's certainly easy to pick this bike out of the crowd. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andre Greipel (Columbia-HTC) is using this custom painted Scott Addict in this year's Giro d'Italia. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Like teammate Mark Cavendish, Andrew Greipel (Columbia-HTC) prefers the extra stiffness of PRO's Vibe Track stem. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andre Greipel (Columbia-HTC) apparently feels the need for more stiffness in the rear wheel judging by the tied-and-soldered non-driveside spokes. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andre Greipel (Columbia-HTC) will have another shot at victory in Stage 3. (Image credit: James Huang)
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He looks friendly, eh? (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andre Greipel (Columbia-HTC) didn't manage the win today but his bike still looks good. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Sacha Modolo's (Colnago-CSF Inox) Colnago C59 chain stays are much more rectangular than the company's other frames. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Easton contributes custom painted wheels to Cadel Evans' (BMC) rainbow-themed ride. (Image credit: James Huang)
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BMC provided Cadel Evans with a specially painted machine to celebrate his status as current UCI world road champion. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) SRM PowerControl 7 cleanly attaches to his FSA Plasma integrated bars using the dedicated mount. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni captain Michele Scarponi used an Ambrosio carbon front wheel wrapped in Kenda's new Volare tubular tire. (Image credit: James Huang)
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A bike for just one Grand Tour? Yes, apparently so. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Selle Italia provides Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni captain Michele Scarponi with this custom saddle. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Guerciotti provided Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni captain Michele Scarponi with this black-and-gold machine for this year's Giro d'Italia. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The tapered carbon fork on Michele Scarponi's (Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni) Guerciotta wears little more than giant company logos. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Main team sponsors are listed right up top on Stefano Garzelli's Bottechia. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Stefano Garzelli's (Acqua & Sapone) special Bottechia definitely stands out against the standard team paint job. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Bottechia provided Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) with this bike to use just for the Giro d'Italia. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Stefano Garzelli's (Acqua & Sapone) handlebar tape perfectly matched his custom painted Bottechia. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Vino (Astana) set off from Amsterdam today using an SRM power meter and Specialized chainrings. (Image credit: James Huang)
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A golden sun and soaring Steppe Eagle fly on the fork crown of Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The gold eagle on the front of Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) bike looks ready to pick up its next meal. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Cadel Evans' (BMC) custom painted BMC Team Machine SLR01 is tucked safely away before the start of Stage 2. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Cadel Evans' (BMC) Team Machine SLR01 is awash in white up front. (Image credit: James Huang)
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BMC team mechanics had to use Campagnolo's BB30 adapter cups to fit the cranks into Cadel Evans' Team Machine SLR01. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) paired his rear Zipp 404 with this shallow-section Zipp 202. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) may be racing in Italy at the moment but perhaps these colors make him feel a little more at home. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Veloflex Carbon tubulars are wrapped around Zipp 404 carbon rims on Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) Specialized rig. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Like him or not, Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 is a stunning machine. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Just in case there was any question. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Blue carbon-specific blocks are mounted in Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) SRAM Red brake calipers. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) returned to the Grand Tour stage aboard this custom painted Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Fulcrum Wheels matched up these Racing Speed XLR deep-section tubulars to go along with Alessandro Petacchi's (Lampre-Farnese Vini) special Giro d'Italia machine. (Image credit: James Huang)
Custom painted bikes for major events are nothing new in professional cycling and this year's Giro d'Italia has been no exception – in fact, three of the top ten finishers in Stage 1 crossed the line aboard bespoke finishes.
New maglia rosa wearer Cadel Evans (BMC) rode today on a black-and-white BMC Team Machine SLR01 decorated with rainbow stripes across the top tube, down tube, seat tube, and chain stays to celebrate his status as current UCI road world champion. Adding to the theme was specially decorated Easton EC90 front wheel with a white background and rainbow highlights.
In typical BMC fashion, one half of the finishing tape on the bars bore the Swiss flag while the other sported the US stars and stripes – but so as not to forget Evans' home country, his Elite bottle cages were emblazoned with his native Australian flags.
Columbia-HTC sprinter Andre Greipel had hoped for the win today and came close, just three spots behind winner Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions). Team sponsor Scott at least made sure the big German 'gorilla' was aesthetically prepared with a custom-painted Addict to go along with his nickname.
A menacing primate with veritable daggers for canines was depicted on the head tube while the rest of the mostly black frame featured a distinct jungle theme. Like fellow sprinter Mark Cavendish, Greipel opts for PRO's ultra-stiff Vibe Track carbon stem but goes one step further with tied-and-soldered non-driveside spokes on his rear wheel. Greipel's rig is also outfitted with Shimano's electronic Dura-Ace Di2 group in contrast to Cav's preferred mechanical setup.
Just behind Greipel was Italian superstar Alessandro Petacchi, who may still be looking to regain his winning ways but still retains his 'Ale Jet' moniker. Lampre-Farnese Vini team sponsor Wilier provided Petacchi with a rather serious looking version of its top-end Cento 1 Superleggera, dressed in raw clear-coated carbon with bright neon green graphics.
Equipment suppliers Fulcrum Racing and Selle San Marco got into the game as well with a pair of similarly colored Racing Speed XLR deep-section carbon tubulars and a bright neon green Regale saddle with carbon rails.
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Colnago-CSF Inox sprinter Sacha Modolo rounded out the day's top ten aboard his brand-new Colnago C59, the latest lugged carbon fiber road machine to come out of Cambiago. Colnago was tight-lipped on details, but the frame's more aggressive tube shaping suggests that it likely surpasses the current EPS in terms of overall stiffness while perhaps being lighter as well – putting it at less than 950g or so.
Features include a slightly sloping geometry and tapered front end like on the EPS but much more rectangular chain stays matched to smaller-looking seat stays, plus internal cable routing.
Modolo's frame was new on the outside as well and decorated to match his 'cannibal' nickname. Colnago's artistic depiction naturally featured bristling musculature and some wild, angry-looking hair but in homage to the Giro d'Italia, it was also wearing pink skivvies and ankle bands.
Fellow Italians Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni) and Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) weren't about to be left out, though, as both also arrived in Amsterdam with specially painted machines – Scarponi with a relatively austere Guerciotti and Garzelli with a much flashier shiny silver Bottechia complete with matching bar tape.
This year's Giro d'Italia also marks the Grand Tour return of love-him-or-hate-him Astana rider Alexandre Vinokourov, who finished the first road stage safely in the main bunch three seconds behind Farrar. His team sponsor's 'welcome back' present? A fantastically finished Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3.
'Vino' has long championed his Kazakh pride and not surprisingly, his SL3 is suitably decorated in Kazakh colors, symbols, and graphics. Up on the head tube is a soaring Steppe Eagle apparently about to grasp its next meal while a bright golden sun adorns the fork blades. Further back, ornate Kazakh-inspired patterns grace the seat cluster, the dropouts are dressed in more gold, and the midsection of the bike is awash in blue and white flames.
Click here to see all the tech images from the Giro d'Italia's first stage.