Contador attacks Tour teammate Armstrong

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has launched an astonishing attack on fellow cyclist and teammate Lance Armstrong - whom he fought tooth and nail for the fabled yellow jersey in this year's race.
 
During the race it became apparent that the two men, both part of the Astana team, were not bosom buddies - particularly after Armstrong, who was expected to be a support rider for Contador, began to push for the win himself. Now it has emerged that they are not even on speaking terms.
 
Both riders appeared to go against team orders in an effort to get one over on the other. In the end it was Contador who triumphed, although 37-year-old Armstrong, on his return to the sport after four years, finished an impressive third.
 
Contador, who also won the race in 2007, has now lifted the lid on their relationship and even admitted he does not admire the American, who famously won seven successive Tours between 1999 and 2005.
 
"My relationship with Lance Armstrong is non-existent. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration for him and I never will," the 26-year-old Spaniard said after receiving a hero's welcome in his homeland. "I have nothing to say to Armstrong. The only thing is to congratulate him on his third-placed finish."
 
Contador claimed that the atmosphere in the hotel during the race had taken its toll on the team, echoing comments made by Armstrong earlier in the Tour that "there's a little tension at the table".
 
Neither rider is expected to be with Astana for next year's Tour. Armstrong is being tipped to start his own team - and it is a safe bet that Contador will not be in it.
 
The Spanish rider will be anxious to keep hold of his yellow jersey next year - his moment of victory in Paris on Sunday was spoiled when the organisers accidentally played the national anthem of Denmark as he was crowned. ·