Michael Barry says Team Sky can continue their fine opening to the season at Etoile de Bessèges this week.

The seven-man squad made a solid start as they finished together in the main group on the opening stage into Le Grau du Roi on Wednesday, all of them credited with the same time as winner Borut Bozic.

"The stage went well for us. As it was pancake flat and would likely be a group sprint we simply stayed out of trouble and stayed together as a team in the group to avoid and major splits and time gaps," Barry told TeamSky.com.

"We don't have sprinter here so this wasn't a stage that suited the team. We will hold tight and will be gunning for one of the upcoming hillier days."

Aiming high

That focus was underlined when the Canadian added: "There are several riders on the team who can win on hillier terrain so we hope to win a stage and even the overall.

"Steve [Cummings, who was fourth at the the GP Cycliste la Marseillaise on Sunday] is in fine form and can certainly do it with the way he's climbing at the moment."

Barry himself has enjoyed a smooth build up to the new campaign and said that's been reflected in his early outings, as he confirmed: "I felt good and strong in La Marseillaise on Sunday. I'll build on that fitness and go for some results."

Team-building exercise

This week's race is providing another important function as it helps the process of binding the new team together.

"We'll be developing our relationship as teammates and as a team," explained Barry. "We are still in a building phase where we are learning to work with each other. Overall, the ambiance is great and everybody is keen so it is all coming together quickly."

And the riders in action in southern France are aiming to build on the fine start made by their counterparts at the Tour Down Under last month.

"Their victories in Australia lifted the whole team," revealed Barry. "Winning early in the year gets the ball rolling and gets us off on the right foot. They definitely showed the cycling world that we will be contenders from the start as their leadouts and sprints were well timed and potent. And, we can only improve on it.

"The team is gelling well. Not only do the riders get along well but the staff is also very good which makes the overall ambiance ideal. We are having fun and eager to race hard."