July 12, 2010 (Morzine-Avoriaz, France) – Canada’s Michael Barry (Team Sky) has completed nine stages at his first Tour de France and has been in the thick of things since the opening Prologue surviving a crash which hasn’t been the case for a number of riders. We caught up with him during the Tour’s first rest day in Morzine-Avoriaz to get his impressions of the world’s biggest bike race and how he and his team are faring after the first week of racing.

How are you feeling coming into the Tour’s first rest day?
Michael Barry: Despite some road rash in a very bad spot on my bum I feel good and am recovering well. The race has been chaotic and dangerous but it hasn’t been incredibly hard. I am happy and overall, doing well.

What are you impressions of the Tour so far from the team presentations until now?
MB: The scale of everything surrounding the Tour is obviously greater but the racing remains very similar to most other races. The biggest difference in the racing is that the cyclists are more nervous as they know the stakes are higher. Being a part of it all has been a thrill and competing with a good group of teammates, who are also friends, makes the experience richer.

There have been many crashes including your team leader Bradley Wiggins and yourself – how has this affected Team Sky?
MB: Most of the riders in the peloton have crashed at some point so we aren’t dealing with anything that the others aren’t. Today, we found out Simon Gerrans won’t be able to continue as he broke his arm yesterday. It was heartbreaking seeing him go home as he had worked incredibly hard to be in shape for the race. We will miss him at the dinner table and on the road.

The riders protested with a neutralized finish on Stage 3 – are there still issues in peloton?
MB: Not really. The riders weren’t protesting the race but the conditions which changed the outcome of the race. They were abnormal and a stage at the Tour de France shouldn’t be won or lost because of oil on a road. It was unpredictable and therefore the race was neutralized.

Wiggins is within striking distance as the Tour hits the first high mountains – what’s Team Sky’s strategy going forward?
MB: To keep him protected and as fresh as possible. Consistency is key and if we can ensure he is well positioned, out of the wind and well fed he should improve through the race.

Has your role to support Wiggins changed at all since the start of the Tour?
MB: No. I still ride at his side most of the day, keep him out of the wind and keep him in position for the crucial moments in the race.

Fellow Canuck Ryder Hesjedal is doing well at the Tour – have you spent any time together?
MB: We have chatted a little in the peloton but the racing has been chaotic enough that there hasn’t been a whole lot of time to really have a good talk. Hopefully we will be in the same hotel soon and can really chat. He is having a great race and it’s fantastic to see him up from with the best.

Is there anything you’d like to add for readers… ?
MB: Thanks for all of the support. On the road there are hundreds of Canadian flags and I have had heaps of kind emails of encouragement as well. Thanks.

All the best to you and Team Sky at the rest of the Tour.
MB: Thanks

Read more about Michael Barry here.