Posted on 07/27/2009 2:50:12 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA
(CNN) -- Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has launched a stinging attack on Astana teammate Lance Armstrong after returning as a hero to his native town of Pinto near Madrid.
Lance Armstrong (right) looks on after Alberto Contador is handed the Tour de France trophy in Paris.
Contador told a news conference that relations between the two riders were tense throughout the race, making the atmosphere very difficult for the team as a whole.
Although not giving specific reasons why, Contador admitted the situation has affected his relationship with the American.
"My relationship with Lance Armstrong is non-existent. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration for him and I never will," the 26-year-old Spaniard admitted.
"It was a delicate situation, very tense, the two riders who had most weight on the team did not have an easy relationship and that puts the rest of the technical staff and the riders in an uncomfortable position," he added.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Respect is earned. This is not the first ride who does not respect Lance Armstrong.
A lot of American riders cannot stand him. Most of the other American riders are good guys too.
They don’t dump their wives etc. They don’t have a team of lawyers constantly threatening people for talking about Lance. Armstrong sounds like Obama with his team of lawyers.
Armstrong, Tiger, Clemens, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire, Gary Shefield, Tim Montgomery, Marion Jones, Lenny Dykstra, A-ROID. LOL! lots of hot heads with bad tempers due to the juice.
Keep politics out of it. Lance Armstrong is a sportsman and a Champion, and if you can't see him as such, don't say anything.
First, Johan Bruyneel has been with Lance since forever and it is Johan who LEFT Astana for many reasons that you either no nothing about or chose to ignore. Lance chose to follow him. Also, put your money where your mouth is. I bet Alberto will NOT be with Astana next year.
So who is petty, you!!!!
Keep politics out of it. Lance Armstrong is a sportsman and a Champion, and if you can't see him as such, don't say anything.
First, Johan Bruyneel has been with Lance since forever and it is Johan who LEFT Astana for many reasons that you either no nothing about or chose to ignore. Lance chose to follow him. Also, put your money where your mouth is. I bet Alberto will NOT be with Astana next year.
So who is petty, you!!!!
Really!!!! give me a break
He can have whatever opinion he wants... but the fact is Armstrong won six out of six. Unless and until Alberto does that, well then the record speaks for itself on the "respect" issue.
You could see what happened here. Lance did not want to be 2nd or 3rd but Contador was in the lead. A good teammate would have just let Contador win but I am sure Lance with his very big ego and knowing no one covers the 2nd or 3rd place finisher had a tough time letting Contador take the glory.
This is a “team” sport but it is covered by the world from an individual perspective. Contador and Armstrong could make a lot of money with this new rivalry. Just like a heavyweight boxing bout.
Who said othewrwise?
He's unsportsmanlike. If being a brat is the new acceptable sportsmanlike behavior, no wonder the sports environment is the joke it is.
I agree.
Actually, I thought Contador was riding for Lance on Ventoux. Contador had Lance's wheel the entire time. The chance that a rider behind Lance in the GC would overtake Lance were greater than Schleck overtaking Contador.
From the sounds of this comment today, it may have been team orders.
Contador gave me the impression he could have gone at any time.
What thought of person would do that? What thought of person would do anything to prevent the possibility of an Astata 1,2,3.
Did Armstrong hold himself in check? Of course he did. Did Armstrong make it very clear what he was capable of? Yes, he did. Alberto one fair and square, because Lance helped him as a team member. Next year will be very different. Very.
I agree with you. I think Lance fell on his sword and helped his teammate win. I just think talk on the radio and when they weren’t racing was a different conversation.
It will a lot of fun to watch next year and I hope Contador has a strong team because we know the Radio Shack team will be very strong.
Astana was about to fold before LA came on board. The team would not have raced in 2009 had he not joined them and brought some backing with him.
Kind of almost makes us pine for the start of football season and the latest comments of Terrill Owen and input from everyone about Eagles and Bears quarterback issues just to get back to civility and lack of controversy.
So if you don't like what I say I should just shut up. Is that it?
First, Johan Bruyneel has been with Lance since forever and it is Johan who LEFT Astana for many reasons that you either no nothing about or chose to ignore. Lance chose to follow him.
Do I have it wrong that Bruyneel built Astana around Contador before Lance decided he wanted in?
Also, put your money where your mouth is. I bet Alberto will NOT be with Astana next year.
That is a bet I won't take. I will bet that there is no way in hell, both riders being healthy, that Lance will finish ahead of Contador next year.
Any proof of Lance doping? I would think he would have had a positive test at some point if this were true. I believe he was tested more than 40 times since he came out of retirement including 11 during the tour alone. What proof do you have. I would also like your proof on Tiger as well.
Also, his wife dumped him as I have told you before.
Are you serious? Lance finished 3rd. You act like he was a midpack rider. He was still right there with all of the GC guys on the big climbs. He was far from not belonging.
Lance tweeted on Monday that there would be an announcement the following Thurs. Doesn't look planned or petty to me.
100% true. It's just the celebrity worshipers around here really bug me. That is why I am defending Contador.
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