Lance Armstrong isn't put off by increase in team tension

Lance Armstrong has hinted he will compete in the 2010 Tour de France after coming out of retirement to ride in this year's race, writes Andrew Checkley.

Asked if this would be his final Tour, the seven-times winner said: "Probably not. Maybe one more Tour."

The Texan also admitted that tensions are running high between him and 26-year-old Astana team-mate Alberto Contador.

"It's really a battle between us two now," he said.

"I'm trying to keep the atmosphere calm here, but the honest truth is that there's a little tension.

"Alberto is strong, and he's very ambitious. I understand that, I've won this race a lot so I don't care if I come second or third or fifth. It's okay, it's honestly okay."

However, he said that if Contador proved his worth he would accept having to play second fiddle in the team.

"If he proves to be the strongest in the race, there's nothing I can do," the American said.

Armstrong remains in third place going into today's rest day, two seconds behind Contador, after France's Pierrick Fedrigo won yesterday's ninth stage.

Italian Rinaldo Nocentini retains the race leader's yellow jersey while Britain's Bradley Wiggins lies fifth.