Professional Cycling For the Fans - spectator question re: TDF (support cars, etc)

each team only has 1 support car?

how many bikes does a support car carry? from what ive seen about 6 bikes with a few spare wheels

i assume they carry replacement bikes for their top riders and a few "averaged-sized" bikes for everyone else?

in a big breakaway with a top rider i assume the team car follows the breakaway and leave the peloton.. or
do they rely on neutral support car to support the breakaway?

in a non-serious crash, instantly there are people picking and grabbing at the bikes... surely they cant all be tour "volunteers". aernt the riders pissed off about this? ("ill check the condition of the bike myself!")

similarly, towards the end of the stage, sometimes you see riders picking bottles from the crowd (instead of domestiques). i didnt see any special clothing or badge on the crowds people indicating they are volunteers/affiliated with the teams?? almost seems random

The rule book (http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/COURSE/docs/reglement_fr_us.pdf) is your friend:

Each team is headed by a sports manager
assisted by a deputy both lisenced
in an affi liated Federation in UCI.
During the race, they must remain in
one of their two accredited technical
vehicles at all times. They must ensure
that the regulations are followed
by their riders and their staff and they
must respond to summonses issued
by race management within the allotted
times.

Almost always, the bottles accepted from spectators are poured on their heads to cool down. Some of the "spectators" may actually be assistants affiliated with the team (like those who pass out bags in feed zones).

How long are you allowed to hold onto the support car and eat up pavement? Seen it happen

If the rider is getting medical attention, or a mechanical adjustment, and is not gaining ground, or getting towed up a hill, they will rarely be penalized.

How long are you allowed to hold onto the support car and eat up pavement? Seen it happen

ive seen (and heard it mentioned by announcers) the race officials intently watching a hanger-on.

i dont think there is a hard fixed rule but rather a subjective judgement "is this person taking advantage?"

In 2007, Leipheimer got penalized 30 seconds for holding onto the car too long on a mountain stage but it was well worth it as it allowed him to recover and not lose too much time.

i also notice some riders are still using pre-2009 campagnolo brifters...

And two generations old Dura-Ace as well. (or three generations old if you count the latest electric group).