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Time trial tech from the streets of Monaco

  • Shimano offers this diagnostic tool to help troubleshoot Dura-Ace Di2 electronic components.

    Shimano offers this diagnostic tool to help troubleshoot Dura-Ace Di2 electronic components.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new Scott Plasma 3 uses uniquely shaped chain stays.

    The new Scott Plasma 3 uses uniquely shaped chain stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 battery is tucked up underneath the saddle.

    The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 battery is tucked up underneath the saddle.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Columbia-High Road was another team using Dura-Ace Di2 transmissions on their time trial bikes.

    Team Columbia-High Road was another team using Dura-Ace Di2 transmissions on their time trial bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A couple of spacers are needed to achieve the desired angle on Grabsch's aero extensions.

    A couple of spacers are needed to achieve the desired angle on Grabsch's aero extensions.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • These add-on pads aren't for extra grip; apparently someone in the UCI believed the Mistral base bars to fall outside the 3:1 rule (they don't) so mechanics built up the surface to effectively change the aspect ratio.

    These add-on pads aren't for extra grip; apparently someone in the UCI believed the Mistral base bars to fall outside the 3:1 rule (they don't) so mechanics built up the surface to effectively change the aspect ratio.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream) is able to handle an especially tight aero position.

    David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream) is able to handle an especially tight aero position.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bradley Wiggins had perhaps the most unique base bar grip setup in the peloton with this custom-made hybrid of Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 STI and Di2.

    Bradley Wiggins had perhaps the most unique base bar grip setup in the peloton with this custom-made hybrid of Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 STI and Di2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Garmin-Slipstream team mechanics add some tape to the bottom of Bradley Wiggins' bike to help smooth airflow over the exiting Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wires and harness.

    Garmin-Slipstream team mechanics add some tape to the bottom of Bradley Wiggins' bike to help smooth airflow over the exiting Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wires and harness.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's latest revision for the team is a shortened external steerer on the Bayonet fork system to accommodate the custom lowered stem.

    Felt's latest revision for the team is a shortened external steerer on the Bayonet fork system to accommodate the custom lowered stem.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A rainbow jersey naturally requires a matching bike.

    A rainbow jersey naturally requires a matching bike.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • 2008 world time trial champion Bert Grabsch (Columbia-High Road) could unfortunately only manage 98th place on the day.

    2008 world time trial champion Bert Grabsch (Columbia-High Road) could unfortunately only manage 98th place on the day.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Grabsch's bike is fitted with a Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 rear brake caliper, possibly for clearance reasons.

    Grabsch's bike is fitted with a Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 rear brake caliper, possibly for clearance reasons.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The diagnostic tool is designed as an electronic 'go-no go' gage, helping mechanics isolate which Di2 component might have an issue.

    The diagnostic tool is designed as an electronic 'go-no go' gage, helping mechanics isolate which Di2 component might have an issue.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Prologo provided Cancellara with his own customized Nago Evo TTR saddle.

    Prologo provided Cancellara with his own customized Nago Evo TTR saddle.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Stage 1 winner Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) ran this custom finished Specialized S-Works Shiv.

    Stage 1 winner Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) ran this custom finished Specialized S-Works Shiv.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • In fact, the entire Rabobank squad ran Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmissions for the opening time trial.

    In fact, the entire Rabobank squad ran Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmissions for the opening time trial.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Denis Menchov (Rabobank) was among many Shimano-sponsored riders using the electronic Dura-Ace Di2 setup for their time trial bike.

    Denis Menchov (Rabobank) was among many Shimano-sponsored riders using the electronic Dura-Ace Di2 setup for their time trial bike.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Prologo says its new Nago Evo TTR was specifically designed for time trials at the request of Saxo Bank team director Bjarne Riis.

    Prologo says its new Nago Evo TTR was specifically designed for time trials at the request of Saxo Bank team director Bjarne Riis.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Prologo's Slide Control strips keep riders firmly planted on the nose of their saddles during time trials without slipping.

    Prologo's Slide Control strips keep riders firmly planted on the nose of their saddles during time trials without slipping.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • An increasing number of time trial bikes are using bottom bracket-mounted rear brakes to allow aero rear ends like this.

    An increasing number of time trial bikes are using bottom bracket-mounted rear brakes to allow aero rear ends like this.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Selle Italia Flite saddle on Grabsch's bike is cut down to meet UCI guidelines for setback.

    The Selle Italia Flite saddle on Grabsch's bike is cut down to meet UCI guidelines for setback.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Garmin-Slipstream team's new 3T Mistral bars have a number of elbow pad positions built in but most riders preferred to run them further back.

    The Garmin-Slipstream team's new 3T Mistral bars have a number of elbow pad positions built in but most riders preferred to run them further back.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • David Millar (Garmin-Slipstream) apparently likes a little extra grip on his base bars, too.

    David Millar (Garmin-Slipstream) apparently likes a little extra grip on his base bars, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Garmin-Slipstream's Felt DA bicycles at the ready.

    Garmin-Slipstream's Felt DA bicycles at the ready.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The substituted Elite aero bottle and cage setup isn't as aero as the especially integrated one that comes with the P4 but test engineer Damon Rinard says it's still faster than nothing at all.

    The substituted Elite aero bottle and cage setup isn't as aero as the especially integrated one that comes with the P4 but test engineer Damon Rinard says it's still faster than nothing at all.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Cervélo Test Team is using modified Elite aero bottle cages instead of the specially integrated setup originally designed for the P4.

    The Cervélo Test Team is using modified Elite aero bottle cages instead of the specially integrated setup originally designed for the P4.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sastre's aero bar setup is fairly straightforward to set up.

    Sastre's aero bar setup is fairly straightforward to set up.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The standard Rotor 3D crank includes channels milled on the surface to save weight.

    The standard Rotor 3D crank includes channels milled on the surface to save weight.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cervélo Test Team riders used a wide range of saddle setbacks on their P4 aero bikes.

    Cervélo Test Team riders used a wide range of saddle setbacks on their P4 aero bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Cervélo Test Team has finally completely traded in their P3 bikes for the speedy P4.

    The Cervélo Test Team has finally completely traded in their P3 bikes for the speedy P4.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Many of the Agritubel riders apparently wanted to get just a tad bit lower, eliminating the upper headset cover.

    Many of the Agritubel riders apparently wanted to get just a tad bit lower, eliminating the upper headset cover.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A row of Kuota Kueen-K bikes await their Agritubel riders.

    A row of Kuota Kueen-K bikes await their Agritubel riders.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • About half of the Agritubel team went with standard SRAM Red DoubleTap levers instead of traditional time trial shifters in order to shift from the base bars on Stage 1's technical course.

    About half of the Agritubel team went with standard SRAM Red DoubleTap levers instead of traditional time trial shifters in order to shift from the base bars on Stage 1's technical course.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Rotor has provided Sastre with a specially finished pair of its 3D cranks. All of the time trial bikes are also fitted with a specific version of the 3D with smooth crankarm surfaces, solid-sided chainrings and a full chainring disc instead of the usual five-arm unit.

    Rotor has provided Sastre with a specially finished pair of its 3D cranks. All of the time trial bikes are also fitted with a specific version of the 3D with smooth crankarm surfaces, solid-sided chainrings and a full chainring disc instead of the usual five-arm unit.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Carlos Sastre's P4 is essentially team-issue but for a few special touches.

    Carlos Sastre's P4 is essentially team-issue but for a few special touches.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Just in case you'd forgotten.

    Just in case you'd forgotten.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The extra-low base bar positions used by some of the Garmin-Slipstream team forced team mechanics to modify the front brake calipers for a smoother cable route.

    The extra-low base bar positions used by some of the Garmin-Slipstream team forced team mechanics to modify the front brake calipers for a smoother cable route.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Garmin-Slipstream mechanics employ a wide variety of methods to secure computers on to the riders' bikes.

    Garmin-Slipstream mechanics employ a wide variety of methods to secure computers on to the riders' bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This Garmin-Slipstream aero bar setup uses fairly narrowly set elbow pads but wider hand positions.

    This Garmin-Slipstream aero bar setup uses fairly narrowly set elbow pads but wider hand positions.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This Garmin-Slipstream aero bar setup is one of the more straightforward ones.

    This Garmin-Slipstream aero bar setup is one of the more straightforward ones.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Garmin-Slipstream team mechanics had to craft additional support plates to accommodate some riders' aero positions.

    Garmin-Slipstream team mechanics had to craft additional support plates to accommodate some riders' aero positions.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ryder Hesjedal's (Garmin-Slipstream) setup is even more extreme.

    Ryder Hesjedal's (Garmin-Slipstream) setup is even more extreme.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Julian Dean's (Garmin-Slipstream) aero bar setup required some special modifications by the team mechanics.

    Julian Dean's (Garmin-Slipstream) aero bar setup required some special modifications by the team mechanics.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Cervélo P4's rear brake is mounted inside the chain stays.

    The Cervélo P4's rear brake is mounted inside the chain stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sastre's reminder of the three things most important to him.

    Sastre's reminder of the three things most important to him.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Some of Agritubel's riders ran a rather unusual aero bar setup for Stage 1 with very short and low-mounted straight extensions.

    Some of Agritubel's riders ran a rather unusual aero bar setup for Stage 1 with very short and low-mounted straight extensions.

    Photo credit © James Huang