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I like these images, taken as the teams rode over Rotterdam's Erasumus bridge for their main-stage introductions. Not only do several of them seem to foretell the rider's fortunes but I love all the pro details: watches, bracelets, limited edition sunglasses, everything spotless and perfect before the pain.

As usual Dave Zabriskie was having fun, sporting a Clint Eastwood circa Dirty Harry hairdo and playing air guitar as he no handed it downhill from the center span. See the little stop-motion video for yourself. His teammates loved it.

Then there was Sylvain Chavanel amusing his Quickstep boys by getting into a tuck for the descent. That buoyant mood would be reinforced with steely determination to get him two stage wins in the race.

Cadel, resplendent in white with his hard-won world championship stripes, looked off into the distance as if trying to see if he'd finally climb to the top of the podium in Paris.

Thomas Voeckler was flying his own colors as French National Road Race champion. He looked calm and confident, and that would eventually see him up the Port de Balès faster than anyone else to take Stage 15.

Nice watch, nice bracelet and a lot of pressure riding on his shoulders seems to weigh on Bradley Wiggins before he's even started. Let's hope he puts it together again next year.

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