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  4. The cycling world can't stop talking about Sunday's hellish-looking Tour de France stage. Here's the bike the best American classics rider in the race will ride over the cobblestones of northern France.

The cycling world can't stop talking about Sunday's hellish-looking Tour de France stage. Here's the bike the best American classics rider in the race will ride over the cobblestones of northern France.

This is Phinney's main race bike for Sunday. It's the Cannondale Synapse, the company's most compliant and forgiving road bike.

The cycling world can't stop talking about Sunday's hellish-looking Tour de France stage. Here's the bike the best American classics rider in the race will ride over the cobblestones of northern France.

At 6-foot-5 and 187 pounds, Phinney rides a big, 60 cm frame.

At 6-foot-5 and 187 pounds, Phinney rides a big, 60 cm frame.

Distinctive features are the wider tires and lower tire pressure, which make riding over rough cobbles a little less hellish.

Distinctive features are the wider tires and lower tire pressure, which make riding over rough cobbles a little less hellish.

The team will be riding the 30-mm-wide Vittoria Corsa Control tubular tires at lower pressures for greater comfort and control.

The team will be riding the 30-mm-wide Vittoria Corsa Control tubular tires at lower pressures for greater comfort and control.

Phinney's bike has hydraulic disc brakes that provide greater stopping power than traditional rim brakes.

Phinney

Phinney rides 150 mm stem, among the longest in the race. They help him stretch out into a more aero position.

Phinney rides 150 mm stem, among the longest in the race. They help him stretch out into a more aero position.

The thick, comfy bar tape offers a lot of grip, which should come in handy on the treacherous farm roads.

The thick, comfy bar tape offers a lot of grip, which should come in handy on the treacherous farm roads.

Phinney's handlebar has big drops for when he needs to really light things up.

Phinney

On Sunday, Phinney will ride with his Garmin computer, which will sit in his out-front handlebar mount.

On Sunday, Phinney will ride with his Garmin computer, which will sit in his out-front  handlebar mount.

With a glance at this stem, Phinney will know exactly at which kilometer he can expect the next cobbled sector.

With a glance at this stem, Phinney will know exactly at which kilometer he can expect the next cobbled sector.

Phinney is opting for big gears to hammer the cobbles.

Phinney is opting for big gears to hammer the cobbles.

Up front he's going with big 53-44 chainrings.

Up front he

The EF-Drapac team rides Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 electronic-shifting system.

The EF-Drapac team rides Shimano

Phinney and Co. will have their work cut out for them on Sunday.

Phinney and Co. will have their work cut out for them on Sunday.

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