If you notice, Manuel isn't wearing a backpack. Some of the faster riders here in Italy are switching to this approach as they prefer to race without one. Along the route there is plenty of water and food, so that isn't a problem and he was carrying an innertube and a multitool gaffer taped to his frame. But it is a higher risk approach, you have to have complete confidence in your bike as if anything more major happens it's game over.