![Astana rider Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the leader's yellow jersey, awaits the start of the 16th stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Martigny and Bourg Saint Maurice, Astana rider Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the leader's yellow jersey, awaits the start of the 16th stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Martigny and Bourg Saint Maurice,](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E78YDF/astana-rider-alberto-contador-of-spain-wearing-the-leaders-yellow-jersey-awaits-the-start-of-the-16th-stage-of-the-96th-tour-de-france-cycling-race-between-martigny-and-bourg-saint-maurice-july-21-2009-reutersbogdan-cristel-switzerland-sport-cycling-2E78YDF.jpg)
Astana rider Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the leader's yellow jersey, awaits the start of the 16th stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Martigny and Bourg Saint Maurice,
![Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador will start Tour as Astana problems ease | Tour de France 2009 | The Guardian Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador will start Tour as Astana problems ease | Tour de France 2009 | The Guardian](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2009/6/24/1245838511412/Lance-Armstrong-001.jpg?width=465&quality=85&dpr=1&s=none)
Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador will start Tour as Astana problems ease | Tour de France 2009 | The Guardian
![Lance Armstrong of Astana during the Tour de France 2009, Stage15 cycling race, Pontarlier – Verbier (207,5 Km) on July 15, 2009 in Verbier, Suisse - Photo Laurent Lairys / DPPI Stock Photo - Alamy Lance Armstrong of Astana during the Tour de France 2009, Stage15 cycling race, Pontarlier – Verbier (207,5 Km) on July 15, 2009 in Verbier, Suisse - Photo Laurent Lairys / DPPI Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2BJ1E9E/lance-armstrong-of-astana-during-the-tour-de-france-2009-stage15-cycling-race-pontarlier-verbier-2075-km-on-july-15-2009-in-verbier-suisse-photo-laurent-lairys-dppi-2BJ1E9E.jpg)
Lance Armstrong of Astana during the Tour de France 2009, Stage15 cycling race, Pontarlier – Verbier (207,5 Km) on July 15, 2009 in Verbier, Suisse - Photo Laurent Lairys / DPPI Stock Photo - Alamy
![Lance Armstrong and Astana riders in protest against own team at Giro d'Italia | Cycling | The Guardian Lance Armstrong and Astana riders in protest against own team at Giro d'Italia | Cycling | The Guardian](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/5/15/1242382500162/Lance-Armstrong-004.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctYWdlLTIwMDkucG5n&enable=upscale&s=2f1a49fbcba86ba209e02ef298c9fd16)