Lance Armstrong issued challenge by new boss
Last Updated: Thursday, October 2, 2008 | 3:22 PM ET
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Alberto Contador, left, owns one Tour de France title. Lance Armstrong, right, has seven. (STF/AFP/Getty Images)Lance Armstrong, second banana?
The recently unretired seven-time Tour de France champion may have to accept a supporting role on his new cycling team, according to its director.
Astana chief Johan Bruyneel said Thursday that star rider Alberto Contador won't be leaving, and he and Armstrong will have to compete for the No. 1 spot on the team.
"At the end of the day, the strongest rider will be supported, regardless of that person's name or what they've accomplished in the past," Bruyneel said in a release.
Bruyneel also indicated that the Spaniard Contador, who won the Tour de France, Italy's Giro and Spain's Vuelta in little over a year, is the guy to beat.
"Alberto has had a magnificent year and is currently the best professional cyclist in the world," Bruyneel said.
After having Armstrong in his stable for seven Tour de France wins before the rider's retirement in 2005, Bruyneel saw Contador claim victory for Astana in the 2007 Tour.
After Astana was denied entry this year due to past doping violations, Contador won the Giro and Vuelta instead.
"Lance must prove that he has the physical ability to win big races," Bruyneel said.
"This is not the first time that big names have all been on the same team. It has worked out in the past and I'm confident for the same in 2009."
Armstrong awaits ruling on Tour Down Under
Armstrong, 37, is attempting a comeback with the goal of adding an eight Tour title.
Contador has said he would leave Astana if given a supporting role to the American, but Bruynell insisted Thursday that Contador isn't gonig anywhere.
"Alberto signed a contract with Team Astana through 2010," Bruyneel said. "I have invested a lot of my time into Alberto's development and he will remain with this team for the next two years.
"Actually, it's pretty simple. There's a contract and there are no options to leave."
Meanwhile, officials of the Tour Down Under — the Australian race Armstrong had earmarked as his comeback event — said they expect to know by Friday whether the American can compete.
Armstrong is hoping to return for the Jan. 20-25 race, but drug-testing regulations would not allow him to compete until Feb. 1.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) requires riders coming out of retirement to be in the sport's anti-doping program for six months before racing.
Armstrong filed paperwork on Aug. 1 with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and said he was drug-tested in late August.
With files from the Associated Press
