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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 TOUR DE FRANCE 
3

Armstrong Plays Second Fiddle to Teammate

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(Newser) – Lance Armstrong suffered a late setback today as a teammate made a last-minute push in the seventh stage of the Tour de France, the New York Times reports. Armstrong's Astana teammate Alfredo Contador didn't win the longest stage of the Tour—Brice Feillu did—and Rinaldo Nocentini still holds the overall lead. But his assertive move may have answered the intra-Astana question of who’s working for whom.

With 1 mile to go, in the steepest section of the 139-mile stage, Contador pulled ahead of Armstrong. The two had been riding close together all day, but Armstrong seemed to fall gamely back to deal with the opposition as Contador made his play. The Spaniard is 6 seconds behind Nocentini overall, and Armstrong just 2 seconds behind him. After Armstrong’s retirement and comeback, Contador is considered the strongest climber in the world.

Lance Armstrong, right, talks to his teammate Alberto Contador, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, during the second stage of the Tour de France.
Lance Armstrong, right, talks to his teammate Alberto Contador, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, during the second stage of the Tour de France.   (AP Photo)
Lance Armstrong, left, and Carlos Sastre cross the finish line during the seventh stage of the Tour de France.
Lance Armstrong, left, and Carlos Sastre cross the finish line during the seventh stage of the Tour de France.   (AP Photo)
New overall leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy reacts on the podium after the seventh stage of the Tour de France.
New overall leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy reacts on the podium after the seventh stage of the Tour de France.   (AP Photo)
Alberto Contador of Spain.
Alberto Contador of Spain.   (AP Photo)
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3 comments
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RobN
Jul 10, 09 1:29 PM CDT
Armstrong didn't come back to come in second to his own teammate. It'll be every man for himself when it comes down to the end. Reply
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pwnage
Jul 10, 09 1:40 PM CDT
I saw after the race, Lance said he "was playing the team game". He did not look happy! Reply
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Yourself
Jul 10, 09 6:53 PM CDT
after 7 years of having others play the game for him, it's time he does the same for others. That's the contract he agreed to, and it's nice to see him doing it, so far at least. Time will tell. Reply
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