Astana teammates Andreas Kloden of Germany, American Levi Leipheimer, American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, and Alberto Contador of Spain, from left to right, climb towards Col de Port , France, during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 176.5 kilometers (109.7 miles) with start in Andorra and finish in Saint-Girons, France, Saturday July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The battle for supremacy in Astana has been brewing since the day the returning Lance Armstrong signed for the team and an irate Alberto Contador voiced his disapproval. The battle is now being played out in the climbs of Le Tour and the fallout will decide the fate of the yellow jersey.
Armstrong’s initial escape from the pack, which put distance between he and Contador, may have been the result of an unexpected break in the peloton, but it was the spark that ignited Contador’s surprise attack on the first Pyrenean stage
It was an individual decision.
Armstrong admitted he was surprised by the move and even team manager Johan Bruyneel claimed that such an attack wasn’t part of the teams strategy for the stage.
For Contador to attack with such ferocity, against Armstrong and the other leading contenders of the race so early, hints at his displeasure with not only Armstrong’s early race move that prompted such a media frenzy regarding just who is team leader, but also his desire to start testing Armstrong early.
He also knew it would most likely deprive Armstrong of a certain yellow.
It was a fascinating move.
This is what makes the Tour de France so incredible.
For all the strategies and planning that goes into the preparation for the race, inevitably it comes down to individual decisions.
Saturday’s stage was but a prelude to what we can expect as the race heads towards Paris.
Despite consecutive attacks from the likes of Cadel Evans, the strength of Astana has been too much.
They have the manpower to quash their rivals and enough candidates to assume the team leadership should disaster befall Armstrong and Contador.
This Tour is theirs to lose.
But should they squabble amongst themselves, leading to a division within the team, they could very well open themselves up to further challenges and attacks.
The key question is whether Armstrong has the legs to maintain the pressure on Contador.
If he doesn’t then it will make Contador the unquestionable leader of Astana.
If he does and the two protagonists split the team, then it negates their key strength and makes them vulnerable.
An Astana split will only boost the likes of Evans, already fighting solo.
It will reduce Armstrong and Contador to individuals rather than a team.
In such sports where teammates are, theoretically, meant to work together for the benefit of the team, yet also racing for individual glory, the balance between individual desire and the collective good is a very delicate one.
It’s what makes such team sports so fascinating.
A similar scenario unfolded in Formula 1 two decades ago when two greats of the sport, both at different stage of their careers, were paired together at the same team.
A young Ayrton Senna, a proven race winner already, arrived at the leading McLaren Honda team, pitted against the already multiple world champion Alain Prost.
In the end McLaren team boss Ron Dennis could not contain the simmering tensions between the pair and the inevitable falling out materialised on the track.
Like Armstrong and Contador, despite being at different stages of their careers, they both have that strong urge to prove themselves as the best.
For Armstrong a legacy is at stake, for Contador a reputation.
Should Armstrong keep pace with Contador, how Bruyneel manages the egos and desires of his riders will determine the victor of Le Tour.
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
Adrian, I am a bit different in that I refuse to bow down before the great edifice that is LA. There is no doubt that Contador is riding better than him, as shown by both the first TT and the first Pyrenean stage. Why then is it "so incredible" that Contador has really done nothing more than try to assert this, successfully as it turns out? Why do LA's actions not get scrutinized? Bruyneel said before the Tour that Contador was team leader; was LA really riding for Contador when the Columbia boys ramped up the pace on Stage 3? Is it not possible that LA got a nudge and wink from his old mate George Hincapie on the Columbia team that the pace was about to explode? It seems an amazing coincidence to me that LA was the only major GC contender that was ready and waiting to go with that break. Contador was forced to miss the TdF last year, at a time when he was undoubtedly the premier grand-tour rider in the world (as shown by his victories in the Giro and the Vuelta). Why should it surprise that he feels he has lost time to make up this year, and he is determined not to let the LA show stop him? (unless of course LA turns out to be better). Astana may not be the most unified team, but if rumours are true, then half of them are on Contador's side. Combine this with Contador's form and nearly 30 Spanish riders being on the tour (i.e., Contador can probably count on help from other teams if necessary), and it's hard to see anything other than a Contador win, no matter how divided Astana is.
megatron
Guest
Don't think Lance has it in him. His been away for four years! Contador has more to prove.