Lance Armstrong’s bid to win another Tour de France title is of high interest here, but Alberto Contador will start the 2009 edition as Astana’s number one rider with good reason, insists the team boss.

After nearly four years of retirement, Armstrong will line up for Saturday’s first stage time-trial around the Principality as Astana’s number two rider behind team leader Contador.

The last of Armstrong’s seven Tour de France victories was back in 2005 while Contador’s form in the last three years means the Spaniard has to begin the 2009 race as their main man, says Bruyneel.

Contador has won three major races in the past two years as his 2007 Tour de France success was followed by victory in both the Tours of Italy and Spain last year.

“In terms of where we are now, both in terms of results this season and in the last three or four years, Contador is our number one,” insisted Bruyneel.

“At the moment, Alberto is our number one with good reason and it was something I spoke to Lance about, because we want to show him some loyalty and respect.

“For me, it’s easy to have confidence in him, because he’s a professional bike rider and he just wants to win races.

“We have had some difficult periods in the last year when things haven’t gone our way and Alberto has dealt with them like a true professional.

“I know it wasn’t easy for him when Lance announced his comeback at the end of last year.”

Nevertheless there remains great anticipation ahead of Armstrong’s bid, at the aged of 37, to roll back the years and win an eighth yellow jersey, especially as he has already made a remarkable comeback to professional cycling.

In May he finished 12th overall in the Tour of Italy despite breaking his collarbone in a crash only six weeks before.