Astana manager Johan Bruyneel faces a dilemma over which of his men to back for victory after four of the team's riders, including Lance Armstrong, were in the top 10 of the Tour de France after the first stage. "There are eight riders who can win the Tour and four are in my team," Bruyneel told reporters at the start of the 187-km second stage to Brignoles on Sunday.
The results of Saturday's opening time trial were scrutinised by many experts as an indication of the hierarchy within the outfit. Spaniard Alberto Contador, the 2007 winner, strengthened his position as official Astana leader by finishing second behind Swiss Fabian Cancellara. Andreas Kloeden was fourth, Levi Leipheimer sixth and seven-times champion Armstrong 10th.
Belgian Bruyneel, who led Armstrong to his record number of victories between 1999 and 2005, said he held a meeting with his nine riders to tell them the team should be the priority over personal ambitions, at least for now. "I told them that with four riders capable of winning the Tour, it would be a shame if Astana did not make it," he said.
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