The build-up to the Tour de France is one of the busiest times of year for pro team mechanics, tasked with preparing the bikes for the most important engagement of the year.

And that’s particularly the case for the 2015 race, which includes a time trial and cobbles stage in the first week, adding to the challenge and significantly increasing the number of bikes that need to be ready.

We’re in Utrecht, the Netherlands, ahead of the start of the Tour and have been scouting around the team hotels, watching as the mechanics work tirelessly before Saturday’s Grand Depart. Here’s what we saw – and stay tuned for lots more Tour tech through the race.