Amgen tour of California 2012

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Saxo Bank's special machines for Cancellara and the Schleck brothers

  • Specialized was of course waiting in the wings with a bright yellow frameset in case one of its riders was in yellow. It didn't have to wait long, either, after Fabian Cancellara assumed the role as race leader after winning the prologue.

    Specialized was of course waiting in the wings with a bright yellow frameset in case one of its riders was in yellow. It didn't have to wait long, either, after Fabian Cancellara assumed the role as race leader after winning the prologue.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Luxembourg flag's red lion gets translated in black here but it's striking nonetheless.

    The Luxembourg flag's red lion gets translated in black here but it's striking nonetheless.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank is using Specialized's angle-adjustable S-Works Pro-Set stem.

    Saxo Bank is using Specialized's angle-adjustable S-Works Pro-Set stem.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank riders have a wide range of Zipp wheels to choose from to suit the day's conditions and weather.

    Saxo Bank riders have a wide range of Zipp wheels to choose from to suit the day's conditions and weather.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Lots of carbon fiber and Specialized's oversized bottom bracket system help yellow jersey wearer Fabian Cancellara put the power down.

    Lots of carbon fiber and Specialized's oversized bottom bracket system help yellow jersey wearer Fabian Cancellara put the power down.

    Photo credit © James 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 SL3.

    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 SL3.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM's Red LTE group features lots of black anodizing 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 fall.

    SRAM's Red LTE group features lots of black anodizing 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 fall.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank team mechanic Roger Theel swaps out Cancellara's white brake hoods for yellow ones prior to setting off on Stage 1.

    Saxo Bank team mechanic Roger Theel swaps out Cancellara's white brake hoods for yellow ones prior to setting off on Stage 1.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Two hoods off, two hoods on: team mechanic Roger Theel had more fitting yellow hoods on Cancellara's rig in less than three minutes.

    Two hoods off, two hoods on: team mechanic Roger Theel had more fitting yellow hoods on Cancellara's rig in less than three minutes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Yellow accents adorn Cancellara's SRAM Red LTE DoubleTap lever but shortly after this shot was taken, the hoods were swapped with yellow ones, too.

    Yellow accents adorn Cancellara's SRAM Red LTE DoubleTap lever but shortly after this shot was taken, the hoods were swapped with yellow ones, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Fabian Cancellara is our first rider in yellow after a convincing prologue win.

    Fabian Cancellara is our first rider in yellow after a convincing prologue win.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cancellara's Roman-inspired shield adorns the top tube as usual.

    Cancellara's Roman-inspired shield adorns the top tube as usual.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The custom painted frames gleam almost like they're metal but they're definitely carbon fiber.

    The custom painted frames gleam almost like they're metal but they're definitely carbon fiber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The giant 1 1/8"-to-1 1/2" tapered front end leaves lots of design room on Andy Schleck's custom painted bike.

    The giant 1 1/8"-to-1 1/2" tapered front end leaves lots of design room on Andy Schleck's custom painted bike.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The team's Zipp wheels receive a bit of color with blue hub caps.

    The team's Zipp wheels receive a bit of color with blue hub caps.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Photo credit © James Huang

  • Photo credit © James Huang

  • Photo credit © James Huang

  • Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank riders have their choice of FSA bar types. Here Andy Schleck goes for a traditional bend.

    Saxo Bank riders have their choice of FSA bar types. Here Andy Schleck goes for a traditional bend.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank hardman Jens Voight prefers FSA's semi-anatomic curve. All of the team's bars are wrapped with grippy Specialized Roubaix tape.

    Saxo Bank hardman Jens Voight prefers FSA's semi-anatomic curve. All of the team's bars are wrapped with grippy Specialized Roubaix tape.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank's Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 machines wait patiently before the start of Stage 2.

    Saxo Bank's Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 machines wait patiently before the start of Stage 2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Details, details: most Saxo Bank bikes get silver cable end caps, Nicki Sorensen gets red ones, and the Schlecks' are blue.

    Details, details: most Saxo Bank bikes get silver cable end caps, Nicki Sorensen gets red ones, and the Schlecks' are blue.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cancellara is currently riding atop 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 medal.

    Cancellara is currently riding atop 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 medal.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gold accents are also on Cancellara's SRAM Red DoubleTap levers while his bars get finished with Swiss flag tape.

    Gold accents are also on Cancellara's SRAM Red DoubleTap levers while his bars get finished with Swiss flag tape.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Even with the fully standard gearing, chain watchers are deemed worth the weight to provide insurance against a dropped chain.

    Even with the fully standard gearing, chain watchers are deemed worth the weight to provide insurance against a dropped chain.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank's standard paint job essentially carries over from last season.

    Saxo Bank's standard paint job essentially carries over from last season.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Zipp gets into the game, too, with yellow decals on the 404 carbon tubular wheels.

    Zipp gets into the game, too, with yellow decals on the 404 carbon tubular wheels.

    Photo credit © James Huang