The American's pursuit of a record sixth Tour de France victory gained momentum on when he won the first Alpine stage to reclaim the yellow jersey from Thomas Voeckler.
Seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong was full of praise for his new Astana team mate Alberto Contador on Thursday.
Lance Armstrong's plan to ride this year's Tour de France route for charity has been branded "disrespectful" by the head of cycling's governing body Brian Cookson.