Flanders tech: horses for courses

British champion Geraint Thomas is riding his custom painted Dogma. No extra bar tape, even. These are hard men, the classics riders.

Thomas' only concession to the cobbles, Veloflex Roubaix tubulars on his Shimano C35 wheels.

Thomas rides O-Symmetric chainrings. His mechanics mounted a Token-branded chain catcher and used it to keep the Di2 wiring in place. No carbon cages here; sturdier ones are preferred.

Thomas' Sky teammate, Juan Antonio Flecha, rode FMB Paris-Roubaix tires.

Matt Wilson kept tabs on upcoming climbs with this taped to his stem.

Tyler Farrar is riding a stiffer, solid big chainring. A matching Rotor chain catcher keeps him rolling over the cobbles without problems.

Movistar was riding Campy electric at Flanders. Old meets new with their wheels and shifting.

Nothing is perfect. Movistar mechanics wrapped tape around the battery to keep it in place over the rough roads of Flanders.

Campagnolo hasn't made silver hubs for many years. But with them used only a couple times a year, these are in great shape and have been likely laced into newer rims.

Two Skil-Shimano riders were aboard aluminum Koga cyclocross bikes with Di2. Mitchell Docker likes his accessory shifter mounted in front and uses his index finger instead of this thumb to shift. Race notes are taped to his top tube.

Martin Reimer is also riding a ’cross bike. His mechanic was busy checking that his tires were inflated to 6.5 bar (94 psi).

André Greipel rolls out for the day to the flashes of media cameras. Again, normal bike, normal wheels.

Alessandro Ballan had a cheap sheet on his top tube. "Carne di Tigre" is his last note. Any Italian speakers out there? I'd guess "meat of the tiger" but I'm sure I'm missing the point.

Alessandro Ballan's mechanics (or possibly BMC) made this chain catcher, which was riveted to his frame and filed to fit.

Nick Nuyens had these Specialized Roubaix tubulars on his bike. The QuickStep hot patch dates the tire a bit. The 25/28 size (25mm tread on a 28mm casing) looked nice and round.

Canadian Dominique Rollin is riding a Lapierre Sensium with Di2 in Flanders.

Euskaltel-Euskadi is riding their normal Orbea Orca but with some vintage wheels and big Vittoria All-Weather tubulars.

No longer in production, these Dura-Ace wheels have aluminum rims and nipples at the hub. Great for the inclement conditions in Belgium.

Boonen's spare bike ready for action if necessary. In the passenger seat of the team car was none other than Eddy Merckx.