Michael Barry has been a regular contributor to www.teamsky.com throughout this season and here he takes a look back on a gripping first week of action at the Tour de France, as well as giving us his thoughts on what lies ahead for Team Sky:

TeamSky.com: It's been an amazing first week of the Tour de France - it must have more than lived up to your expectations?

Michael Barry: It has been fantastic, although we have had some lows as well. The crashes have made the racing chaotic and it was heartbreaking seeing Simon go home with a broken arm as he worked incredibly hard to be in shape for the race. He was beat up but fought like a warrior. We are now missing a valuable team-mate.

On the positive side though, we have had some great results and the morale on the team is good. I expected the Tour to be a circus but it is impressive just how big it is. The nicest thing is being amidst the emotions of the fans as they scream from the roadside. The television coverage doesn't capture that ebullience.

TeamSky.com: Your role has so far been chiefly to protect Bradley, please talk us through what that involves and how you feel it's gone so far...

MB: Essentially my job is to keep him out of the wind and in position for the key moments of the race. You can call me his 'wing man', which means I am at his side until I can no longer sustain the effort. It is a job I enjoy and he is a great guy to work for.

TeamSky.com: We saw you tweeted about the amazing amount of fans en route in Holland and then stage three involving the cobbles looked an absolute epic - what are your highlights so far?

MB: I think there are a few highlights every day. During the race the encouragement from the fans is incredible. Also, seeing how many people get up on these remote mountain tops is impressive. They look like they're having a hell of a good time as well. Two days ago, on our way to Morzine, we were racing on the roads I had trained on as an amateur when I lived in Annemasse. Riding the Tour on those roads was something unique and memorable.

TeamSky.com: And if we're looking for lows then Tuesday's crashes must have been a nightmare. What's your view looking back on that?

MB: It was a nightmare and was a completely abnormal and unpredictable situation. It seemed over half of the peloton crashed. I am still recovering from some road rash which has made it extremely uncomfortable to sit on the saddle, but I can't complain too much as a lot of guys are worse off.

TeamSky.com: Much of the spotlight has been on Bradley, but the two youngsters Geraint Thomas and Edvald Boasson Hagen really made their mark on the Tour right from the outset. What are your thoughts of their performances?

MB: Both guys have ridden impressively well and both have handled the stress of the race and the attention they have received like veterans. They both have bright futures ahead of them.

TeamSky.com: And how about Bradley?

MB: The race is still far from over and he just needs to be persistent and consistent. The Pyrenees will hurt a lot of riders.

TeamSky.com: Finally, how are you feeling at this point and what are the aims and targets for the next few days?

MB: Thomas and Brad are still up there in the classification so we will continue to protect them and seize any other opportunities that arise.