July 22, 2010 (Pau, France) – Canada’s Michael Barry (Team Sky) is living his dream by competing at his first Tour de France, the world’s biggest bike race. While his team has not achieved their goals at this year’s Tour, morale is still high on the squad as they hope for a stage win and to keep improving the position of their top riders. We caught up with Barry in Pau, France on the second rest day at the Tour.

How are you feeling after completing your second week at the Tour?
Michael Barry: Overall, considering the difficulty of the race and the fact that I have been on the bike for more than two weeks, I feel good. In the first two weeks, I struggled with some road rash on my butt, but that has finally healed so I can now sit comfortably on the saddle. My back, which I also injured in the crash, also feels close to normal again now. Mentally, I feel good, but I do miss my family.

Things aren’t going as planned for your leader Bradley Wiggins — how are he and the team holding up?
MB: He is doing well. I think it was almost a relief for him when he admitted he was unable to contend for yellow. Before that, he was dealing with a lot of internal pressure to be with the best and his body wasn’t allowing him to do that. The team morale is still good. We have ridden the best race we could and stuck to a plan. Now that Bradley is no longer in contention, we’ll change our focus and try to win stages while also protecting Thomas Lofkvist, as he is in the top 20 overall and can hopefully move up a few spots.

What are your hopes with only four stages remaining?
MB: The Tourmalet stage will clearly be difficult, but a breakaway might stay away so we’ll work to be in there. The Bordeaux stage and the Champs d’Elysees will likely both be sprints, and if Edvald Boasson Hagen is feeling up to it, we will lead him out.

Despite not realizing the team’s goals, what’s your assessment of your own performance?
MB: I feel good about how I have ridden. I did what was asked of me every day and performed my duties as a domestique well. The whole team did their job well and professionally. We missed the target, but we will definitely learn and grow from the experience.

What are your impressions of the Tour so far — is it what you expected?
MB: It is much bigger than I expected, and from what I understand, every year it gets a little bigger. The actual racing isn’t much different than the other races we ride during the season, although the higher stakes make the peloton race more nervously, which is probably why there were so many crashes in the first week. It has been fantastic being a part of it all, and the race will provide some great memories and stories for the grandkids.

Do you have a favourite stage or section that stands out for you?
MB: I enjoyed the cobbles, and riding through the mountains was something that will remain as a good memory – and the crowds are amazingly animated and intense. I have never felt or seen that in another environment.

How about the worst stage or section this year?
MB: It was the second stage, when I crashed. I didn’t think I would be able to continue when it happened as I was quite sore and beat up. The hardest moment after that was in the Alps when I had to sit on the road rash for hours while climbing.

Have you had a chance to meet up with fellow Canuck Ryder Hesjedal who’s doing really well in 10th overall?
MB: Yes. We chat when we can, which isn’t often, as the racing has been furious during the last week. I am impressed with his performance and it is great to see a Canadian name up there in the GC after all these years.

What’s on tap for you after the Tour is over?
MB: I will take it very easy for a few weeks and will then race the Eneco Tour and the Canadian Pro Tour races.

How has your new book, Le Metier, been doing?
MB: Great, thanks. The reviews have been good and the public response has been very positive as well.

Good talking with you and good luck with the rest of the Tour.
MB: Thanks.