Tarbes-Lourdes airport, Sunday, around 6pm.
Lance Armstrong is greeted by massive cheers as he enters the airport before boarding the plane taking the Tour de France riders to Limoges for their first rest day.
Alberto Contador signs a few autographs. Both riders did not exchange a look, let alone a word, in the bus that was taking them to the airport.
Armstrong leaves the rest of the Astana team for an interview with French TV while Contador gets on board.
As I get into the plane, I am quite surprised not to see him in one of the two front rows with a ‘do not occupy’ tag.
I struggle past a few riders to find a seat towards the back of the plane and there is Contador with team mate Andreas Kloeden.
Armstrong arrives and takes a seat in the front row next to team manager Johan Bruyneel, the man behind his seven Tour de France triumphs.
As the plane takes off, Contador bends his cap infront of his eyes and has a quick nap. Later Kloeden gives him his video game and the Spaniard plays for a few minutes.
Then we chat. He won’t name Armstrong, but reckons: “My legs cannot betray me even once.”
The crucial part of the race is set to start on Saturday in the Alps. Then we will see who is really in front of whom.
PHOTO: Astana rider Alberto Contador of Spain (R) cycles with his team mate Lance Armstrong of the U.S. during the ninth stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Saint Gaudens and Tarbes, July 12, 2009. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel
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3 comments so far
A great fly on the wall perspective; goes someway to prove AC is not only battling against LA but the boss who initially hired him to be designated team leader. Immense pressure. If he keeps on the wheel of LA as he has done for the majority of the race since stage 3 (I wouldn’t trust him or his current or ex-cronies either) and pick him off in the Alps then he will become a truly legendary champion.
LA is the master puppeteer (akin to the Godfather logo); he manipulates the media and public with carefully crafted soundbites and he has his influential mates such as Merckx twittering for him and those wanting to ingratiate themselves with him. Although not all superchampions believe AC was out of order including Kelly and Hinault (probably Lemond too if he could spare the time away from prepping for his corporate bullying case). Pity those taken in by the LA spin machine.
- Posted by MB[i]“goes someway to prove AC is not only battling against LA but the boss who initially hired him to be designated team leader.”[/i]
That’s your take on it. My take is that it proves everyone on the team (but AC) considers Lance to be their leader at this point.
Not that I don’t have some sympathy for Alberto. It must be a real kick in the teeth to think you’re going to be the leader and then not have it materialize.
But … boo-freaking-hoo. Welcome to the real world.
Even if keeping AC down was all some grand masterplan of Armstrong and Bruyneel, it wouldn’t work if AC didn’t play into it by acting like a petulant child, now would it? Bruyneel’s (alleged) favoritism wouldn’t matter if the others on the team made it clear they wanted to ride behind AC rather than Lance. But obviously, they haven’t done so.
Because team leadership takes more than young, powerful legs. Sure, strength and endurance are prerequisites, but when you have more than one rider with those qualities on a team (as Astana obviously does), legs alone are not enough. You have to be able to get the best out of your teammates. You have to be able to out-think your opponents. You have to be patient and think about the big picture. Armstrong brings these extra qualities to the table. AC apparently doesn’t.
For example, Lance may have ticked some people off over the years, but he also seems to have amassed a ton of goodwill within the peleton. By contrast, I read this morning that AC told a reporter yesterday that he “didn’t need to worry about finding allies at this point.”
Guess what, AC? You do need to worry about it. All the time. Life is kinda funny that way.
If you want others to respect and follow you — if you want Bruyneel to put the team behind you — then earn it. Your considerable talent and past accomplishments don’t mean squat so long as you continue to alienate others.
- Posted by krThank you Julien Pretot for your excellent coverage and honest insight of the Tour so far, despite the pressure to tow the Astana press line, i.e, freezing out Michel Wuyts from Sporza, the UK Times etc, etc. Why? Are we not democratic countries with the rights of free speech!!
Your reports appeal and tap into the passions across the full spectrum of cycling fans from those wishing to see an honest contest between 2 great champions who both should give the due respect to one another and those lonestar wear’n, longhorn runn’n, trek ride’n hardcore fans. Keep up the good work.
Well done again Cavendish; what a talent!!
- Posted by MB