Tour de France lovers already looking ahead to 2010 (Feature)

Paris - The 2009 Tour de France was not yet over and talk had already begun about next year's race. The reasons were many: a dominating champion, a talented young challenger and the return of the aging king. The champion, Alberto Contador, proved this year that he was head and shoulders above his rivals. His margin of victory over second- place Andy Schleck, 4 minutes 11 seconds, is the rough equivalent of a 4-0 football score. Not only did he dominate in the mountains, but Contador won one of two individual time trials and finished second in the other. And he had to contend with a rivalry within his own Astana team, that of the returning king, seven-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong. 'It was a very difficult Tour de France for me,' Contador said on more than one occasion. Many people wondered how the race would have been run if Armstrong and Contador had not been teammates. In 2010, they won't be. Armstrong has already announced the formation of a new team, sponsored by the Texas-based electronics retail giant Radio Shack. He said his preparations for this year's Tour had not been ideal. There was a fall and a broken collarbone in spring. He also suggested that the high-altitude training he had done in winter in Colorado was not the best way to get in shape for the Tour. On Sunday he said, 'I hope to be stronger next year. Maybe, I'll win.' He will, as usual, have the best team surrounding him. According to rumours, he has offered places on the team to Andy Schleck and his older brother, Frank. If true, this could provoke another inter-team rivalry, because the younger Schleck finished second to Contador and will want to do better next year. Asked who can beat Contador next year, older brother Frank had a two-word reply: 'The Schlecks.' Contador will likely also have a new team, but he is being discreet. 'What is certain, my future will no longer be linked to (Armstrong) next year, ' he said. 'My experience of this year showed me that I have to be in a team that is devoted to me.' Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso announced that he was considering forming a bicycle racing team and asking Contador to lead it. German media reported that the Spanish bank Santander could be its sponsor. According to Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel, who directed all seven of Armstrong's Tour titles and will likely be his manager in 2010, 'It will be difficult to surprise Contador or Schleck in the future. Lance will be a contender for the victory next year, but not a favourite.' There will be other contenders in 2010, including the surprising Briton Bradley Wiggins. The multiple world's track cycling champion has turned himself into an able climber and finished fourth. He could be a factor in 2010, if he improves. Two-time Tour runner up Cadel Evans of Australia had a disastrous three weeks in France and finished a thoroughly beaten 30th, more than 45 minutes behind Contador. He is likely to take the setback as a challenge and will almost certainly also have a new team.