Alberto Contador on Monday played down the tension between him and Astana teammate Lance Armstrong as both prepare to launch respective bids for the 2009 Tour de France yellow jersey.
As Contador, the 2007 race winner, welcomed the media on the race's first rest day on Monday 13 of the 18 questions centered on the Spaniard's teammate, and potential rival, Armstrong.
Armstrong, a seven-time champion, confirmed the suspicions of many on Sunday when he told French television a "little tension" exists between him and Contador.
Armstrong's comments ensured that Contador faced a barrage of questions on the issue, but the 26-year-old Spaniard played down the seriousness of the issue.
"We have a normal relationship. It's not like we are the best of friends, but we eat together, we talk on the bus," said Contador.
"It is more the perception from outside which is not so good.
"Whatever people may think from outside changes nothing for me.
"I just stay relaxed and am concentrating on the competition. The Tour is demanding and it is better not to waste energy on something like this.
"These things are just a distraction, but at the end of the day, I try to stay relaxed."
Ahead of Tuesday's 10th stage Contador, who attacked Armstrong on the seventh stage climb to Arcalis in the Pyrenees to take back 19secs on the American and move into second overall, is 6secs down on Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini. Armstrong is third overall at 8.
Despite reports from Spain claiming Astana are 100 percent behind Armstrong, according to a newspaper report, Contador believes he will be able to rely on his team when the race moves into the mountains on Friday.
"I don't feel any tension in the team, I don't feel alone, I have important people around me," said Contador.
"We still have two weeks to go, the most important thing is that Astana wins in Paris."
Contador said he expects the 2009 Tour to be decided in the mountains.
"I think the Alps will make the difference. From Colmar (on stage 13) onwards we have Verbiers, and the time-trial and Mount Ventoux are also important, but I think the difference will have been made before," he said.
And when asked about who he feels are his main rivals, Contador refused to mention the A-word.
"The Schleck brothers (Andy and Frank at Saxo Bank), especially Andy, and (Cervelo's 2008 champion Carlos) Sastre as he has a lot of experience."
No mention was made of Australia's two-time runner-up Cadel Evans, who is three minutes off the pace and could, if circumstances allowed, become an ally of Contador if both really wanted to distance Armstrong.
But the Spaniard has not reached that stage just yet.
"All the riders in the Astana team are professional enough to work for all four main riders, I have no doubts about this," said Contador.
(AFP via China Daily July 15, 2009)
