Were these just a surly recognition that Armstrong is in this race for himself, and resents Contador gaining time on him, or was it a justified dig at Contador for splitting the team on the final ascent, and possibly losing Astana the chance of other podium placings (ie Kloeden and Armstrong)??

 Surely if Contador hadn't attacked the Shlecks would have done, and better to attack than to defend?

In the interview with Contador after the race Contador said that he spoke with Kloeden when they were approaching the summit who apparantly told Cantador to "go for it", if this was the case I don't understand why Armstrong made such a jibe unless it was "sour grapes".

However I don't understand why, if Kloeden did tell Cantador to go for it why he didn't respond.

I also have to say that Contadors beheaviour with regard to Andy and Frank Schleck approaching the finish line was "very sportsman like" allowing them to take the stage, I am sure Armstrong would have had no hesitation (if he were in the same position) of running for the line to grab the glory, or maybe I have it all wrong, and Armstrong is a generous soul too. who knows?

 

No, I think you have it exactly right.

If you have ever watched Armstrong's tactics in the Tours he has won, you'll recognise Contadors action on that climb to be exactly as Armstrong has always done - allows his rivals to attack, shelling out anyone not able to stay with them, and then attacks them as the summit approaches with such confidence and ferocity that they can't stay with him. Contrador tried exactly that but could'nt quite shake the Schlecks.

It's sour grapes from Armstrong who doesn't seem to want to accept that Contrador is better than him, then in interviews uses that ridiculous tactic of thinly veiled criticism.

Both Armstrong and Contador will do what they have to to win. Armstrong didn't win seven Tours by being a nice guy.

I reckon that all this so called infighting is all part of the plan that Astana has come up with to keep everyone guessing. Have you noticed how all comments hint at or never fully explain the situation? I dare say the truth will all be revealed once the Tour is over.

Is it just me or is there anyone else out there that is sick of this Tour being turned into the Lance Armstrong Roadshow ? Its blatantly obvious thats he`s peeved at Contador, when in actual fact he cant cut it anymore and if it wasnt for the dearth of real talent he would be even further back ! Just think, you`ve got it all to face again next year, wowee cant wait, Allez Contador.

Can't cut it anymore?

Does this mean that anyone sitting below third place in the GC is a non contender and should just give up and go home?

PS: I think it's you!

I agree, I'm fed up to the back teeth of hearing about Armstrong. I think it unlikely, but I do hope Wiggins drops him on Ventoux.

Surly recognition is about right. Armstrong would have done (or tried to do) the same if he had been in Contador's place. Armstrong announced the sponsors for his new team today - huge American retailer, hopefully this means that Armstrong considers his future on the other side of the pond and he will disappear back to the States. Shame if he takes Bruyneel though, Allez Contador - what a rider!

Armstrong isn't going anywhere fast. There are even rumours that he might buy the Tour from ASO (the organisers) one day! He'll be back next year too.

 Lance has let the mask slip more than enough times in recent months to show us that he still wants to the top dog.

 His snidey, patronising and condesending remarks about Contador (even though he has already won all the Grand Tours)...... His face after Arcalis......... His reaction to Contador dropping Kloden. He isn't in control and he hates it. Even though he says he doesn't..............

 He is constantly saying it's not about the race, it's not about winning, it doesn't matter where he finishes etc etc. The Lance doth protest too much.

 Still, great achievement to be where he is.

 

Well... wasn't today's stage the most exciting of the race so far? Sad for Bradley Wiggins fans, although he managed to hold onto fourth spot. Contador certainly redeemed the Kloden episode, riding into the head wind enabling Lance to keep his position on the GC. He even kept a regular eye on Armstrong's position as well up to the end of the stage. Fantastic day's racing.

I was suprised completely by today's stage as I expected Andy and Frank Schleck and Contador to steam off. Armstrong pulled off a performance not so different to the days of old.

Personally I think it is not unusual these days with with something newsworthy - blown way out of proportion by **** journalism and reading something in other people that actually is just a mirror image of their own shortcomings.  Vive le Lance and Wiggins, and Cav and Roche etc etc etc..... 

 

Goldenduck completely sums it up for me. I never liked Armstrong and I like him even less after this tour. He is such a selfish, egotistical and machiavellian toad. He has spent 3 weeks (actually, make that the last 9 months) making petulant, snide digs about Contador. Every day he made some critical remark (and Leipheimer joined in recently too - nice to know what good team mates they are). Basically he couldn't handle that he thought this was not going to plan - clearly LA assumed this was going to be the Armstrong love-in with Astana towing the Livestrong line, everyone doing his bidding as he demanded in years gone by and allowing him to win with ease. Except Contador wasn't willing to roll over and play dead and give in to LA's desire to completely transcend the TdF and co-opt it as his personal plaything and hobby. 

 

Armstrong parachuted into a very strong team, took advantage of that strength in the TTT and the 40 secs he got through luck (oh sorry, I forgot, only a 7 time winning genius could have got into that break, silly me) and rode those time gains top the end. I credit him for a strong ride on the Ventoux - thanks goodness he didn't win that stage, we would all have drowned in the sea of Lance-fawning from the media. Put Armstrong on any team other than Astana and he would probably not have been in the top 10.

 

No doubt next year he will get a strong team together of lackeys who will ride him to a measure of success in the team time trial - a wholly unfair and disproportionate stage and one that has always garnered LA a massive and unfair advantage over other contenders on weaker teams -  but will be found out in the ITT and mountains.

Contador is one of the greatest champions of all time. He not only fought the opposition, he fought his directeur sportif and his own team-mates who were all too ready to stab him in the back.

 

The best man and cyclist won for once. 

And let's not forget Armstrong did everything he could with his Radioshack announcement to deflect glory from Contador. What a great team-mate. Shame so many people have been drinking the Armstrong Koolaid and buy everything he does as somehow saving the soul of cycling. So glad Contador won - what an achievement in the circumstances.

Excellent post - this so articulately captures everything about Armstrong.

 We know he's a great TdF cyclist and we appreciate he has overcome huge obstacles. We know he is a dedicated and intelligent rider. But there is simply no getting away from the fact that he hijacked an entire team and just expected everyone to kowtow to him.

I noticed that he was actually unable to bring himself to even say Contador's name in any interview I've seen. That's not a great sportsman - that's a big baby throwing all his toys out of the crib. Let him go and set up his own little team in Lanceworld, which is the only place he really wants to live in.