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PARIS, Oct 3, 2008 (AFP) - Lance Armstrong’s will to succeed is one
“intangible” that his manager at Astana, Johan Bruyneel, will be counting on
come next July when the Tour de France icon aims for an eighth yellow jersey.

While hoping to appease record-setting team leader Alberto Contador of
Spain, Bruyneel - who steered Armstrong to seven Tour triumphs in 1999-2005 -
believes the Texan will be fired up and ready to go by July 2009.

But he warned the 37-year-old American, who retired after his last yellow
jersey victory in 2005, he will need to show he is worthy of the team’s
unflinching support if he is to remain their leader during the three-week epic.

“I certainly don’t have any doubts about Lance’s motivation and dedication.
These are intangibles I would never bet against,” Bruyneel said in a team
statement on Thursday.

“The question remains if he can be at the same level or similar level after
a few years away from the racing season. That’s an answer no one has right
now, but I do believe Lance will be competitive.

“I’m excited for his comeback, not only for what it adds to the team, but
also to the sport. No other person has such an impact on the sport on a local
and global level.”

The news of Armstrong’s return has got fans excited and ruffled plenty of
feathers, not least those of Contador.

Just over two weeks ago the current Astana team leader achieved a feat that
not even Armstrong can boast of, adding the Tour of Spain crown to his 2008
Giro d’Italia triumph and victory in the 2007 Tour de France.

He thus became the first Spaniard, and only fifth rider in history, to win
all three major Tours after French duo Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault,
Belgian legend Eddy Merckx and Italian Felice Gimondi.

But despite reports that Contador is threatening to leave if he is not
assured leadership of the team, Bruyneel appears ready to play hardball.

“I have invested a lot of my time into Alberto’s development and he will
remain with this team for the next two years. Actually, it’s pretty simple -
there’s a contract and there are no options to leave,” said the Belgian.

In the event Armstrong and Contador manage to work in harmony, Bruyneel has
not ruled out the possibility of Armstrong being prepared to work for other
riders, such as Contador.

Bruyneel added: “That’s a question that Lance answered himself last week in
Las Vegas - Yes.

“He knows that the decisions are made in the team car and he understands
the philosophy - the same one we’ve always had - we work for the strongest
rider.

“This is not the first time that big names have all been on the same team.
It has worked out in the past and I’m confident for the same in 2009.”

File Photo by: CorVos Pro