SHOOT: This coverage from ESPN is the best I've seen. Lance describes his performance on Verbier as 'average', says he gave everything he had. While he is resigned to working with Contador, there is a sense still that if he sees an opportunity he will seize it. He has said, that 'realistically', teammate Contador is 'the best'.
"I'm happy to have earned this jersey," Contador said, clearly elated. It took a minute to register what he meant. In 2007, Contador didn't seize the lead of the Tour he eventually won; he inherited it after the bizarre downfall of Danish rider Michael Rasmussen, fired by the Rabobank team the last week of the race for previously evading drug testing. Contador declined to wear the yellow jersey the next day and put it on only after the end of the stage.
Armstrong didn't fume or show much emotion other than fatigue when he chugged across the finish line in ninth place, having been dropped by several other riders, including 2008 Tour champion Carlos Sastre.
SHOOT: Last paragraph isn't correct. Armstrong spat as he crossed the line, and in the slow motion replay he had a steely 'if looks could kill'glare.
Christian Vande Velde, who has been a teammate of both men, said last week that Contador is made of far sterner stuff than it might appear. "Attacking like he did and doing what he does, that doesn't come naturally to anyone," Vande Velde said in a moment of reflection on the Tour's first rest day. "I don't care how gifted you are. You have to train hard. He's got the eye of the tiger, and he's a tough kid. He's stubborn."
Contador is fully aware his rivals have not capitulated.
"The strongest is Andy Schleck but I don't fear someone in particular. The dangerous situation is if they all attack together," he said. "I must make sure I do everything correctly so that my rivals cannot have a chance."
SHOOT: Might be more dangerous if there are a number of consecutive attacks. Frank and Andy could definitely upset the apple cart. Stage 20, which ends on Ventoux, may change everything. So it's not over yet.
A church bell coincidentally tolled while Contador was answering reporters' questions, but Vande Velde cautioned Sunday that there are several more stages that could wreak havoc on the standings.
"This last week is going to be so brutal; anything can happen," Vande Velde said. "I think anyone within five minutes can still do something. Long breakaways, crashes, bad weather -- that's why the Tour is such a cool event. That's why you've got to keep pushing and trying."
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