CONTADOR SAYS ARMSTRONG WILL TAKE PRESSURE OFF HIM

Lance Armstrong Alberto Contador Astana press conference Tenerife Dec 08
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When Lance Armstrong announced his comeback to professional cycling and that he would join the Astana team, you could almost hear Alberto Contador's chin hit the floor.

At first, 2007 Tour de France winner Contador appeared less than happy to be sharing the Astana team with seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong, but he has now told French sport paper L'Equipe that he is welcoming the Texan's return to competition.

"He's a great champion who knows how to sell the sport," Contador told the paper. "His return brings with it a number of advantages, and not just the extent to which he will take the media spotlight off me."

"I am going to concentrate on my race programme to get to the start in the best shape possible, but not with the obsession of being leader," Contador said.

"It's the terrain which will decide during an event. We'll not assess our performances on the morning of July 4 to designate a leader."

During the interview, Contador also expressed his admiration of Armstrong's training regime and his huge determination.

"I can't say it any simpler," said Contador. "This guy is the best cyclist in the world."

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Nigel Wynn
Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.