LIMOGES, France — Alberto Contador is playing down tensions between him and Lance Armstrong, a rivalry that has left a glaring unresolved issue at the Tour de France: Astana’s leadership remains in question while the former champions vie for the yellow jersey.
Armstrong told French television Sunday that relations with his Spanish teammate are strained after nine stages of cycling’s showcase race. Contador said during Monday’s rest day in Limoges he has grown weary of the debate.
“It’s a subject which is starting to tire me a bit,” he said. “It’s too repetitive. For me, there are no tensions. I am totally relaxed and focused on the competition.”
Outwardly, neither rider admits he wants to take on the other. Both say they are prepared to sacrifice individual ambition for the greater good of the team.
“We eat together at the table and are together on the bus. Often the tension seems higher from the outside than it really is,” Contador said. “The Tour is a tiring race, and you can’t waste energy on things that don’t concern the race.”
Going into today’s 10th stage, Contador was in second place. He was two seconds ahead of Armstrong, who was third. Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy held the yellow jersey, six seconds ahead of Contador.
Those positions seem unlikely to change on three largely flat stages from today to Thursday or on Friday’s moderately hard mountain stage. All of which means the Tour’s most intriguing duel figures to be put on hold for at least a few days.
Armstrong suggested on French television that he will not settle for third place, and “the honest truth is that there is a little tension” between him and Contador.
At a glance
A look at the Tour de France, which had a rest day Monday:
Yellow jersey: Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy.
Where Garmin-Slipstream ranks: Two riders are in the top 10 overall, with Bradley Wiggins in fifth and Christian Vande Velde in eighth.
Next stage: Today’s 10th stage is a 120.9-mile trip from Limoges to Issoudun that should favor sprinters.
The Associated Press
STANDINGS
(After nine stages)
1. Rinaldo Nocentini, Italy, AG2R-La Mondiale, 34 hours, 24 minutes, 21 seconds.
2. Alberto Contador, Spain, Astana, 6 seconds behind.
3. Lance Armstrong, United States, Astana, :08.
4. Levi Leipheimer, United States, Astana, :39.
5. Bradley Wiggins, Britain, Garmin-Slipstream, :46.
6. Andreas Kloeden, Germany, Astana, :54.
7. Tony Martin, Germany, Team Columbia-High Road, 1:00.
8. Christian Vande Velde, United States, Garmin-Slipstream, 1:24.
9. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg, Team Saxo Bank, 1:49.
10. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy, Liquigas, 1:54.
Also
28. George Hincapie, United States, Team Columbia-HTC, 5:25.
69. David Zabriskie, United States, Garmin-Slipstream, 29:50.
164. Tyler Farrar, United States, Garmin-Slipstream, 1:26:32.
167. Danny Pate, United States, Garmin-Slipstream, 1:29:42.
