Armstrong shuns Contador party

27 Jul 2009, 10:06 am   -   Source: AFP
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Lance Armstrong has admitted he went for post-Tour drinks with Team Radioshack instead of celebrating with victorious team-mate Alberto Contador.

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Lance Armstrong has admitted he did not celebrate team-mate Alberto Contador's Tour de France triumph, preferring instead to go for drinks with the backers of his future outfit, Team Radioshack.

The 37-year-old finished third overall after Sunday's 21st and final stage at 5:24 behind Contador who built an unassailable lead after Saturday's climb up to Mont Ventoux and rode to Paris in the yellow jersey.

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But rather than dine with his Astana team-mates on Saturday night to celebrate Contador's victory, seven-time champion Armstrong said he dined elsewhere.

"To be honest, I went out for dinner with the Radioshack guys and I had a few extra glasses of wine than I would have normally done," said Armstrong when asked about Astana's celebrations after the team won the yellow jersey.

Much has been made of the pair's rivalry with Contador going into this year's race as team leader then letting his cycling speak for itself by claiming a second yellow jersey.

Armstrong is set to return to next year's race with Team Radioshack, who announced the new venture on Thursday.

Having won the last of his seven Tour titles in 2005, Armstrong was in contention to pull on the yellow jersey early in the race.

He was in the general classification's top five since the third stage but was made to work for his third place in the race's final days after late challenges from Garmin's Bradley Wiggins and Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck.

Both his rivals Andy Schleck, who finished second overall, and Contador showed their strength in the Pyrenees and Alps leaving Armstrong with no complaints.

"I came here to do my best and I came across some guys who were clearly better than me," he said.

"I don't have any regrets, I got put out a couple of times, but considering my age and recent racing, it's not a bad performance overall."

The Texan rode the Champs Elysees here on a bike covered with hundreds of dead butterflies after being customised by British artist Damien Hirst.

Hirst was invited to adapt the bike which will be auctioned to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation in the fight against cancer.

"Damien Hirst designed the bike and he's arguably one of the best living contemporary artists," said Armstrong.

"I am a collector of his stuff and he agreed to do the bike for me.

"All the bikes I have ridden this year from the Tour of California to the Giro d'Italia to here are being auctioned off for the foundation.

"When that bike sells it is sure to be one of the most expensive bikes ever sold."

And Armstrong said he was ready for a break now.

"I am ready to go home, it's been a long three weeks as usual," he said.

"It's stressful and there are a lot of commitments outside of riding the bike race.

"I am ready to go on vacation for sure."
 

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