With Evans and Sastre potentially out of contention, the potential rivalry of Armstrong and the 26-year-old Contador, who won the 2007 Tour, is set to reach a new peak in the daunting Pyrenean summits.
Armstrong will face a tough test in the mountains. After tomorrow’s trek between Barcelona and Arcalis — the most demanding Pyrenean stage with a grueling final ascent — Armstrong’s rivals will know if the Texan still has the legs of his heyday. And Contador, the best climber in the world, will see if he still has a chance to knock Armstrong from his throne, at least within the Astana team.
During the team time trial, the two men collaborated well and shared a common objective.
“My point was to Alberto, ‘Look, let’s ride perfect, and make this race almost impossible to win for others,’” Armstrong said. “And I think we can say that we accomplished that.”
After Cancellara, the next four riders are from Astana: Armstrong, with the same time; Contador, 19 seconds back in third; 2004 runner-up Kloeden is fourth, 23 seconds back; and Levi Leipheimer of the US is fifth, 31 seconds behind.
Before the Pyrenees, Armstrong’s team will be glad not to have to defend the yellow jersey. Yesterday’s fifth stage was a 196.5km ride along the Mediterranean from Le Cap d’Agde to Perpignan that could favor breakaways if the wind blows.
Cancellara’s team will have to chase the potential fugitives while Astana could save forces for the mountain passes looming ahead.
Armstrong said he was “realistic” about his chance of victory when riders reach the Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 26.
“It’s not going to be easy — I’m not going to get last — but it won’t be like 2004, 2005, 2001,” he said. “It’s going to be a helluva lot harder than I expected. That’s as honest as I can say it.”
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