So, it seems that the manufacturers must have a stock of bikes and bits ready to go in yellow, green, polka dot etc. So, that means that they must have made them up ready in advance of the race. As such, what happens if they've made one, just in case like, and the rider(s) involved don't go on to win/wear a jersey? For example, did Scott and other sponsors have a batch of kit ready in case Cav got in to green? Did BMC et al have stuff ready for Cadel in case he got in to yellow?
So, if they do have stuff ready made in advance, what happens to it if it's not needed?
Maybe it's just wrap/decals?
It gets left in the corner, getting dusty, and every time the rider goes past it he is reminded that he is a disappointment and has let the team down.
Don't know really. Probably sold off for a slightly cheaper price, but still >£4000 (?) because of what the bikes are. Or maybe just repainted/all the bits put on a new frame and sold normally.
Or then again, maybe they just keep it. The teams must have tons of training bikes.
They have some ready to go I reckon for ones they predict to go yellow- Cancellara always gets in it, so he'll have one, ditto Evans, Lance, Schleck, Contador etc.
With the yellow/green combo I reckon Look sprayed it the night before and fired it to them overnight since they're in France.
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I didn't realise before but I believe they custom spray overnight!
unless they would have predicted that Chavanel would be leader of both green and yellow competitions as above!
As DenDennis says...Chavanels Merckx was sprayed up overnight, but it did help they were near the factory! Pics were on velonews or some such site.