A continent apart and almost seven months before their next epic battle in the 2010 Tour de France, Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador loosened up their legs, plotted a little strategy and bonded with their respective teammates last week in the first stage of preparations for what looms as the most compelling confrontation in the history of their sport.
The pro teams’ December training camps are at least equal parts physical and social, giving the riders a chance to get to know each other. That was especially true for Contador and what’s left of his mighty Astana outfit, which has convened for a week of work in Pisa, Italy.
Fact is, the soon-to-be 27-year-old Spaniard is about all that’s left of Astana, at least as it was constituted last summer when the Kazak-funded, Belgian-masterminded, Spanish-led and American-charged powerhouse dominated the yellow-jersey chase.
Armstrong’s new Team RadioShack signed eight of Astana’s nine Tour riders and turned the directorship over to Johan Bruyneel, cycling’s Phil Jackson.
Equal parts savant and lottery winner — Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador, the best riders of their respective generations, have together won him nine maillot jaunes in the last 10 Tours he has participated in –the Belgian Bruyneel knows he’ll be facing a different kind of challenge come July.
Team RadioShack has the numbers on its side, not to mention Lance Armstrong’s still-impressive skills and transcendent star power.
GO LANCE!!!!! GO RADIOSHACK!!!
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Show him who still the boss lance!!!
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Although I enjoy watching Contador and respect his cycling ability, I can’t wait to see Lance bury him in the 2010 Tour. Tear him up Lance!!!!
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Lance, you are the face of cycling. Contrader isn’t. Even though he beat you,you will always be the best.Crush him in 2010. Andreas Klodden an levi Leimphier will too.
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Go Boss! Go Team RadioShack!
On a personal note, LA, you have inspired me to get back on the bike, for the first time in over 30 years! I am now totally addicted!
Thank You!!!
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I seem to remember reading about a few other greats who’s actions didn’t please the status-quo; each won the TDF. Cooperation isn’t characterized by a bunch of lovely faries farting sweet spirits of inspiration; it exibits friction, heat, sparks, and collisions that cause metal to bend, or mountains to rise. Small friction between large forces…what do you expect. Go Lance, Go Alberto. Its not a show, its a race!
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