Armstrong says tension exists in Astana camp

SAINT GAUDENS, France: Lance Armstrong has finally admitted that tension exists in his Astana team as both he and Spanish teammate Alberto Contador bid to win the Tour de France.

Armstrong finished the ninth stage on Sunday still only eight seconds off the leading pace of Rinaldo Nocentini, an Italian riding for AG2R who is not considered a yellow jersey contender.

Contador, the 2007 champion who started as the yellow jersey favorite, is second overall only six seconds off the pace ahead of Monday's rest day and a crucial spell of racing towards the end of this week.