scorecardWe just got up close with the Tour de France leader's classic-looking yellow road machine - take a look
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  4. We just got up close with the Tour de France leader's classic-looking yellow road machine - take a look

We just got up close with the Tour de France leader's classic-looking yellow road machine - take a look

Van Avermaet, 33, is a veteran pro who has won a slew of the world's biggest races, including the Paris-Roubaix. He's also the reigning Olympic road-race champion.

We just got up close with the Tour de France leader's classic-looking yellow road machine - take a look

The saddle is a nod to the Olympic champ, known as GvA, who won gold in Rio.

The saddle is a nod to the Olympic champ, known as GvA, who won gold in Rio.

This is the Teammachine SLR01, BMC's flagship road-race bike.

This is the Teammachine SLR01, BMC

In an era of super-aero cockpits, GvA opts for the more classic-looking round handlebar.

In an era of super-aero cockpits, GvA opts for the more classic-looking round handlebar.

GvA keeps a clean cockpit, with his computer jutting out on an out-front mount. The oversize stem makes for stiff, efficient power transfer when sprinting.

GvA keeps a clean cockpit, with his computer jutting out on an out-front mount. The oversize stem makes for stiff, efficient power transfer when sprinting.

In this era of disc brakes, it's almost becoming quaint to see one of the planet's best cyclists riding rim brakes.

In this era of disc brakes, it

More and more road cyclists, pros and amateurs alike, are opting for wider tires with lower pressure — and GvA is no exception. He's riding 26 mm tubular tires this Tour.

More and more road cyclists, pros and amateurs alike, are opting for wider tires with lower pressure — and GvA is no exception. He

GvA and the BMC team are sponsored by Shimano and ride Dura-Ace Di2, the electronic shifting system.

GvA and the BMC team are sponsored by Shimano and ride Dura-Ace Di2, the electronic shifting system.

The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 is easy to charge with junction built into the down tube.

The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 is easy to charge with junction built into the down tube.

The tire sidewalls give GvA's BMC a classic look.

The tire sidewalls give GvA

BMC uses Elite Custom Race Plus water-bottle cages.

BMC uses Elite Custom Race Plus water-bottle cages.

Tour de France leader yellow bike Van Avermaet BMC TeamMachine

Tour de France leader yellow bike Van Avermaet BMC TeamMachine

The race-provided transponder keep track of GvA's time to the hundredth of a second.

The race-provided transponder keep track of GvA

BMC will score points with fans who appreciate an understated, classic-looking bike.

BMC will score points with fans who appreciate an understated, classic-looking bike.

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