Contador to Lead Astana Despite Armstrong's Arrival

The winner of last year's Tour de France, Alberto Contador, said he has been assured he will remain the leader of the Astana cycling team despite the arrival of seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

Contador has threatened to quit Astana if his position is not secure, adding that he has received offers to join other ProTour teams. "The team has given me guarantees that I will be the leader but I want the fullest guarantees possible," the 25-year-old Spaniard said. "They told me that they want to back me but I have to see how all this develops. If I'm not happy, I will leave," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Armstrong announced on Wednesday that he is joining Astana, reuniting the cyclist with his former team leader and close friend Johan Bruyneel. The American yesterday claimed that he did not expect to be Astana's leader if he was not the best rider.