Armstrong says Contador's attack 'wasn't in the plan'
- Friday, 10 July 2009
- 6 Comments
Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Tour de France 2009, stage 7
Any doubts about a possible war inside the Astana team between Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador were blown away when the Spaniard attacked in the final two kilometres of the stage to Andorra Arcalis on Friday.
Armstrong still had a chance of pulling on the yellow jersey but the gloves suddenly came off when Contador surged away. It was clear he was riding for himself and the denials and false diplomacy has finally been cast aside.
Armstrong used to stamp his authority on the Tour de France on the first mountain finish but this time Contador showed he has the 'cojones' to attack Lance Armstrong.
He failed to take the yellow jersey himself but he gained 21 seconds on Armstrong. He is six seconds behind leader Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r) but is now two precious seconds ahead of the Texan. That means he, not Armstrong, is likely to pull on the yellow jersey on Saturday or Sunday if Nocentini falters in the Pyrenees.
Contador's attack was a body blow to Armstrong's dreams of pulling on the yellow jersey for the first time since retiring in Paris on 2005 and he was not happy about it, revealing it was not how the Astana had planned their tactics for the stage.
“It wasn't really to the plan but I didn't expect him to go by the plan. It's no surprise,” Armstrong said with a mix of bitterness and anger in his voice, clearly acknowledging that there are huge problems between him and Contador.
When asked about his own ride, Armstrong claimed he rode for the good of the team.
“When you've got a guy away, like I said all along, my obligation is to the team and you've just got to stay on the wheel. Schleck put in some good moves, Cadel put in some good moves and Wiggo put in a good move there at the end but you've got to stay on the wheel. That's bike racing,” he said.
“The team's good as you saw there, Klodi was good, Levi is strong, of course Alberto is strong. The team won't be the problem...”
Armstrong claimed the stage was not suited to long-range attacks like the ones he did in 1999 to Sestriere or to Hautacam in 2000. But hinted that there will be plenty of stage for riders to fight it out later in the Tour.
“I did not expect a demonstration like in some of the other years on the first
mountain stage. The wind wasn't conducive, you saw a a big group there,” he said.
“It's not a very steep climb, the pace was rather high, with constant rhythm changes because it was headwind, tailwind, headwind, tailwind. Maybe not my specialty but it was not bad considering.”
“We'll have plenty of days at this Tour when there are only a couple of guys together.”
Perhaps him and Contador and fighting it out 'mano a mano' on Mont Ventoux?
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Reader comments
Add your commentsJuly 11 11:33
stuart stanton
Armstrong will regret not staying on the sofa Go Bradley Go!
July 11 12:37
TJ
Quit being Lance haters you uppity, snooty Brits. You're sounding very much like the French now. All whiney and mad as hell that he's NEVER been proven to be a cheater.
July 11 22:54
Birillo
It is not about the dope. Armstrong should support his team leader unless that leader weakens. I can imagine his reaction had someone done this to him at Postal. He even set up Landis in 2005 so that he, Armstrong, could win the stage - pas des cadeux indeed. Armstrong has many qualities but he is graceless in every sense.
July 12 01:44
John
Lance's quote from the day before the "surprise" that so angered him:
"I know Alberto wants to assert himself in the race, and I don't need a team meeting to know that he's ready to go. If he goes, and nobody can hang onto him, then I'll just stay with the other leaders. That's the way to be. But I'll still do my best and get to the top as quick as I can, so we'll see..."
Contador isn't going to give in to the old "Boss" nonsense. This was his team for two grand tour wins last year. It will be his team when Lance moves on. He's devoted his whole year to this race. ASO denied him last year. If anyone wants to stop him this year, they can do it in the Time Trial and on Mont Ventoux. Contador actually has a contract with Astana, and he's not the one messing up the team.
July 13 13:34
Ian
As a brit i'd love to see Wiggo do it, but if he can't then bring it on Lance. I've been a competive cyclist for many years now and I accept Armstong dosen't always endear himself to everyone but then that's not in his personality! I love his single minded competitiveness, something we brit's often lack. He has been phenominal in the past and the Tour itself has been a laughing stock during his absence. This year everyone is talking about it for all the right reasons, because it's intrigueing and not because it's a drug fuelled shambles. There has only been suspicion's about Armstrong in the past and if anything Contador has yet to clear his name. Our own Cav is a similar sort to Armstong and it won't be long before we start sticking the knife in him. C'mon Cav,C'mon Wiggo and Stick it up them Lance!!
July 15 10:42
aNDi (ARMSTRONG FANATIC)
i guess its time for Lance again to show what he got , i know he has nothing to prove anymore of what he had done in the past . . its a dream for some but i know for him its just a matter of decision . . Its not about whos the leader of the team , its about who deserves to win . . . Personally im really disappointed to the result of the race cause i know theirs someone who is holding back!its time to show up , its time to put the pressure , its time to win & you always deserve it Lance its you fate to WIN .....