You want to wear yellow into Paris you must beat the best and this year will be no cake walk for young Contador.

Contador should have left Astana as soon as it was confirmed that Armstrong was signing. He should have gone to a team that would have guaranteed him the leadership role his palmares warranted...there would have been no shortage of offers.

methinks that Alberto will think lance to be the over the hill grandad

and at some point they will do mountain training

and timetrial training

and contador will get his butt whupped

If they both stick to the schedule there won't be a problem. Is he now the Team Manager. The last time I checked there are no assurances in cycling unless you own the Team.

Challenge Lance at your peril....how many have learned that lesson. Alberto may win but it will be obvious that Lance can outride him. The team may shuffle the leader if AC doesn't cut the mostada, then Lance will switch on the afterburners. Remember all the team wants is victory with whomever. Crazy? witness Ullrich & Riis. I rest my case.

I think Alberto and the rest of the Astana squad will get a shock next week, after all Lance has been in serious training while they have been resting. Also Lance is likely to establish his credentials early in the season while Alberto is building up to the Tour, should make for difficult choices for Team Astana.

There's a bird theme here. Contador's hobby involves looking after canaries and other birds...
'
Armstrong and Contador will be training in the Canary Islands...
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Armstrong wears a lot of yellow, canary-coloured yellow...
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But can Contador keep Armstrong in his cage? Or are Armstrong's feathers too bright for captivity? Which cyclist will truly be flying over the Alps this year? (How far can this metaphor be stretched (plucked?)?!)

I think it is so short sighted of people whom seen intent on debating whether or not Lance will win the Tour. He has stated he is returning to spread the message of how terrible cancer can be and how the public unfortunately don't understand the fundamentals of this disease. Many people have been touched by this awful disease and the reality is it is much larger than any bike race. He has won 7 Tours, he is the most successful rider in the TDF's history, AND come back from cancer. Whether he wins or not is not important...

This is very much like the Lemond-Hinault relationship in '86. The younger came out on top then. We'll soon see, right?

Contador is the best on the world right now and that must be respect from all riders, i think that Armstrong is not going on TDF

there will be no love lost between these two, 2 alpha males rarely get along especially at the top level of competition. i wouldnt be fooled about the diplomatic words, contador cant be happy that armstrong has returned let alone in his team but it should provide for fireworks in the mountains should armstrong race the tour. i hope he does and may the best man win, bring it on i say. vive le lance and le tour....

Good on you Alberto, just raise your game,