March 24, 2003 – Yesterday's 150k stage was taken by Telekom's Erik Zabel in a traditional mad dash to the line to begin the Setmana-Catalana. Although today's stage was relatively flat and fast, later in the week riders will need to find their climbing legs. Pedal spoke to Michael Barry about how the race went, and how he, riding for an American team, copes with the war on Iraq.
Setmana-Catalana 2003
Stage 1: 146.5 k
1. Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Telekom 3.25.15
(42.88 km/h)
2. Alexandre Usov (Blr) Phonak Hearing Systems
3. Peter Wrolich (Aut) Gerolsteiner
4. Gonzalo Bayarri (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems
5. Nacor Burgos (Spa) Colchon Relax-Fuenlabrada
6. Danilo Hondo (Ger) Team Telekom
7. Addy Engels (Ned) Rabobank
8. Viatcheslav Ekimov (Rus) US Postal
9. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank
10. IÃ’igo Landaluze (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
—-
59. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal
122. Michael Barry (Can) US Postal
Pedal: How was the race today?
Barry: The race was fast from the gun. I think we averaged about 43 km/h for the whole stage, and it was no where near flat. It was my job to stay with Lance (Armstrong) for the first 3/4 of the stage as he is our leader here. The last climb was fast and the field split into a few groups. I am still suffering from an ear infection so don't feel super on the hills. My power in all right on the flats but I feel horrible as soon as we hit the longer climbs.
Roberto (Heras) wasn't able to be here with us as he is sick as a dog as well. Illness has nailed the peloton the last few weeks and many teams are struggling right now. At the end of the day, Eki (Viatcheslav Ekimov) did a nice job in the finish and was in the top ten. The result is important as it also determines our car position in the caravan. Lance finished comfortably in the front group. On another note, it is nice to be racing on roads we know well as we are around Girona, our home while over in Spain.
Pedal: As a Canadian riding on an America team, how are you coping with the War on Iraq? What is the mood with the team?
Michael: I have to admit, it is very strange to be racing while a war is going on. We come home from the race, turn on the TV, and watch the news for the rest of the evening. In Spain, as in much of the world, there are protests and anti-war banners everywhere in the streets. Let's just hope it ends quickly and few people, whether American, British, or Iraqi, die.
For more, visit www.michaelbarry.ca