September 17, 2003 – Hi Michael, Do you talk much to the other rides in the peloton? If you had to pick a few guys from a few other teams that you are most friendly with, who would they be? And why?

Thanks,

Peter Martinez, San Diego

Michael's Response:

Hi Peter,

We often chat on and off the bikes. As we are always with other teams in the hotels we see guys from other teams every night while at the races. When the race is moving steadily we'll chat in the bunch as well (although, we haven't had much time to do this at the Vuelta this year). I guess we generally chat with the English-speaking riders mostly and they are all friendly and nice. I have some friends that I raced with as an amateur in France as well and I'll talk to them as well. A lot of the US riders live in Girona so we are all close and talk a lot at the races as well: Fred Rodriguez, Levi Leipheimer, Tyler Hamilton and all my teammates. A few of the CSC Danish riders live there as well.

Take care, Michael

Along with coverage of each stage of the Tour of Spain, Pedal is once again offering our very popular daily Q&A with USPS' Michael Barry. During the Tour of Spain, Pedal readers can email their questions for Michael, pertaining to the race itself or general questions regarding Michael's training or racing schedule. Simply email “Matt Hansen” mattsh@hotmail.com and cc to pedal@passport.ca Michael will do his best to answer as many questions as he can after every stage. For more about Barry, visit michaelbarry.ca

September 13, 2003 – Michael, do riders in a pro peloton always conduct themselves in a professional manner or is there a lot of yelling and cursing as they take risks and fight for wheels in critical situations? What is the language of the peloton in the Vuelta?

Gord Clarke, Newmarket, Ontario

Michael's Response:

I would like to tell you that we are polite and courteous when racing but that isn't the case. In tense situations we yell and swear at each often but when we are off the bikes everybody in the peloton is generally friendly. When the race is rolling along slowly we all chat with each other and everybody is calm and collected. The harder the racing gets, the more tired riders get the more uptight and unkind they become. Human nature really, I guess.

Sincerely,

Michael

Along with coverage of each stage of the Tour of Spain, Pedal is once again offering our very popular daily Q&A with USPS' Michael Barry. During the Tour of Spain, Pedal readers can email their questions for Michael, pertaining to the race itself or general questions regarding Michael's training or racing schedule. Simply email “Matt Hansen” mattsh@hotmail.com and cc to pedal@passport.ca Michael will do his best to answer as many questions as he can after every stage. For more about Barry, visit michaelbarry.ca

September 12, 2003 – Hey Michael, US Postal looks like they are still contenders in the Vuelta but now that Beltran is ahead of Heras by a good minute, is that going to change your strategy on these next mountain stages or is Heras going to still be your team leader? Both put in excellent time trials yesterday. Being mountain men I thought they would have had a harder time then they did. Secondly, how much of a threat is Nozal? I don't know a whole lot about him. Is he a good climber? Thanks for listening and I hope to hear from you soon. Good luck to all in the Vuelta.

Sincerely Angela Belock

Michael's Response:

Hi Angela,

Thanks for the note. Both Triki (Beltran) and Roberto (Heras) had really good time trials. Roberto limited his losses in a TT that didn't suit him at all. Roberto is by far the best climber in the race and has proven himself in a three-week race like this many times before. We are now in a position where we have two riders that are a threat for overall victory but Roberto remains the rider that will lead our team. The race will sort itself out more in the next three days and we will have a clearer idea of who is climbing well. Nozal isn't proven in a three-week race yet but he has incredible form at the moment and is climbing well. The question is whether or not he can hold his form. I think we are all glad we didn't let the breakaway he was in the other day gain too much time, as this could have very well ended our race. I think Roberto and Triki will be able to distance him on the steep ascents. Stay tuned…

Sincerely, Michael

Along with coverage of each stage of the Tour of Spain, Pedal is once again offering our very popular daily Q&A with USPS' Michael Barry. During the Tour of Spain, Pedal readers can email their questions for Michael, pertaining to the race itself or general questions regarding Michael's training or racing schedule. Simply email “Matt Hansen” mattsh@hotmail.com and cc to pedal@passport.ca Michael will do his best to answer as many questions as he can after every stage. For more about Barry, visit michaelbarry.ca

September 11, 2003 – Hi Michael, I had the pleasure of talking with both you and Dede at the Wachovia series here in the US. You signed my jersey at the start of the Trenton stage. Thanks for being so nice. My question relates to the wattage you average for a 40 K flat individual time trial and what specific training do you do to achieve this power output. During this effort what HR zone do you try to stay in and do you break the race into sections to meter your effort? Thanks again – best of luck in the Vuelta and looking foward to the cook book!

All the best, Ed Gifford, USA

Michael's Response:

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the note. During a TT we will generally ride at aerobic threshold (AT) which would be about 350-400 watts for an average weight rider (70kg). However, someone like Roberto Heras would need to do much less wattage to go the same speed as someone with a larger body type. Aerodynamics and weight influence the amount of watts you must to do go a certain speed therefore someone lighter and smaller does less to go 40km/h than someone larger.

To train for a TT it is good to do shorter efforts at the speed at which you would ride the event. We will do three to four 4km TT intervals. We will essentially ride at our AT for the effort thus getting the body comfortable at the speed and effort level.

Prior to the race we always preview the course in the morning. During the races the riders that are racing for the victory will be wearing radios and will be relayed information from the team director as to where they are standing in comparison to their rivals. The team will also have people on the course relaying time checks to the director in the car. So, yes the course will be broken up into section and we will be relayed info as to our position in the race at that time. The director will also give us feedback as to what lies ahead on the course (corners etc), and generally give encouragement over the radio.

Thanks and pedal hard,

Michael

Along with coverage of each stage of the Tour of Spain, Pedal is once again offering our very popular daily Q&A with USPS' Michael Barry. During the Tour of Spain, Pedal readers can email their questions for Michael, pertaining to the race itself or general questions regarding Michael's training or racing schedule. Simply email “Matt Hansen” mattsh@hotmail.com and cc to pedal@passport.ca Michael will do his best to answer as many questions as he can after every stage. For more about Barry, visit michaelbarry.ca

September 9, 2003 – Hi Michael, Do you have any special bikes for this 3-week tour? How many would each rider have along? Are you using 10-speed, and if so, how is it? Good luck and thanks for carrying the flag in Spain for all us back at home!

Stan Martin
Winnipeg

Michael's Reponse:

Hi Stan,

Thanks for the encouragement. We have Shimano Dura-Ace 10-speed race bikes that we starting using in June, before the Tour. The groupset works really well and the bikes are very light. Not a bad combination at all. The fit is a little different from the 9-speed brake levers as they are a little longer but once one is used to it, it's awesome. The cranks are nice as well. We also have carbon-rimmed Bontrager X-lite wheels for the climbing days. The combination of the Trek frames, 10-sp gruppo and carbon wheels is super light and still rigid. Our bikes are right at the UCI weight limit as well. For the race we each have a TT bike (the leaders have two), a race bike, a spare bike, and then there are also spares which can be interchanged between riders.

Thanks and all the best,

Michael

Along with coverage of each stage of the Tour of Spain, Pedal is once again offering our very popular daily Q&A with USPS' Michael Barry. During the Tour of Spain, Pedal readers can email their questions for Michael, pertaining to the race itself or general questions regarding Michael's training or racing schedule. Simply email “Matt Hansen” mattsh@hotmail.com and cc to pedal@passport.ca Michael will do his best to answer as many questions as he can after every stage. For more about Barry, visit michaelbarry.ca

September 8, 2003 – Hello Michael, Congrats on all the success you've had this season. Since the World Cycling Championships are being held in Canada this year, I was wondering what it would be like competing at a major event at home compared to competing in Europe where cycling is much more prominent?

Cheers,

Paul Crosby,
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

Michael's Reponse:

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the note. I think the Worlds in Hamilton will be awesome and not much different than a World Championship in Europe. The course is hard, selective, and scenic – it will be great for spectactors. As a cadet, junior and amateur I never imagined having the opportunity to race in the biggest event in cycling on home soil. It's a dream to have that opportunity and it motivates me incredibly.

I think the crowds will be massive as well as there is a large population base within driving distance of Hamilton. I know that many Americans will make the drive up to see the race and many Europeans will also make the flight from overseas. We have seen immense crowds at premiere US events (San Francisco GP, and FIrst Union in Philly), so lets hope the same crowds come to see Canada and the race.

My schedule the last few months has been focused around the Vuelta and Worlds. I know a lot of my USPS teammates are excited about the race as well.

The Canadian team for the Worlds has yet to be selected but I am sure that whichever riders go they will be motivated and capable of well representing the Canadian colours.

Take care, Michael

Along with coverage of each stage of the Tour of Spain, Pedal is once again offering our very popular daily Q&A with USPS' Michael Barry. During the Tour of Spain, Pedal readers can email their questions for Michael, pertaining to the race itself or general questions regarding Michael's training or racing schedule. Simply email “Matt Hansen” mattsh@hotmail.com and cc to Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.