PARIS (AP) — Cycling great Eddy Merckx says seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong should focus on more than just beating Alberto Contador in his bid to become the oldest winner of the race.
Armstrong came back from retirement last year and lost to his Astana teammate Contador at the Tour de France amid reports of friction within the team.
Armstrong, third in last year’s Tour, quit to start up his new RadioShack team, leaving the Spanish rider as Astana’s undisputed leader.
Merckx, who won five Tours, told The Associated Press that he considers Contador the “most complete rider” around. But he cautioned the 38-year-old Armstrong not to forget “other young wolves like the Schleck brothers” as he tries to dislodge Contador.