June 20, 2003 – What's it like riding for one of the best teams in the world, with one of the best climbers? We asked Michael Barry about this week of riding at the Tour of Catalunya and trying to help ace rider Roberto Heras win the overall.
“Going into Catalunya the team had one goal: to get Roberto to the finish in the leader's jersey,” Barry explains, “We are now into the fourth day and he is in the leader's white jersey. Tomorrow's TT and Sunday's short but hilly road stage will decide the race. It is now beween him and Pecha Ramon of Paternina who surprised everybody with an incredible climb in Andorra a few days back.”
So what's Barry's role? The race began with a Team Time trial, and it was crucial for the team to do well.
“We placed second, a few seconds behind ONCE which was near perfect. A repeat of last year's victory would have been ideal,” Barry says, “Then going into the mountains we were to keep the race in control until the big climbs when it would be Roberto's time to take over. Once he gained the lead we started to control the race from the starter's pistol. In the last few days the six of us have ridden hundreds of kilometers on the front-keeping Roberto out of the wind and the race in control.”
Is it tough to go to the front every day and sacrifice yourself for the good of the team? Not when you see your leader deliver, like Heras does so often under pressure.
“Each day we go to the front and see nothing but the open road and the motorbikes in front of us. Then once our work is done we pull off, sit up and save as much energy as possible for the upcoming days,” Barry continues, “We rarely see anybody in field other than when we are going up the peloton with bottles. But, when you're on the front pulling and in control of the race with the team it feels awesome. When everything is ticking and everybody is strong it is one of the best feelings you can have on a bike with a team. When a team has a leader like Roberto or Lance everybody within the team steps up a level and gives everything they can.”
The Road Nationals are next week, and with a hilly course that suits him perfectly, Barry hopes this race will boost his form for Hamilton.
“Personally, I started the race feeling a little sluggish due to the overseas travel after Philly races but have been getting better with each day and am now feeling good,” Barry says, “It nice to get better during a stage race as opposed to developing sore muscles and bags under the eyes. Tomorrow we'll all take it easy in the TT and save or legs for another battle on Sunday.”