SION, Switzerland -- The tensions with Lance Armstrong have cooled, and Alberto Contador is now focusing on the possibility that rivals on other teams will try to swipe his Tour de France lead.
The 26-year-old Spaniard used Monday's rest day to lay out his plan of attack -- and defense -- to keep the yellow jersey that he seized by winning the first Alpine ride in Stage 15 a day earlier.
Contador, who won the 2007 Tour, said his lead over other contenders "looks good" so far, but cautioned: "It's not done yet, we still have a hard week left to go."
Armstrong, the seven-time champion who has come back to the race after 3½ years of retirement, is in second overall -- 1 minute, 37 seconds behind his Astana teammate.
The 37-year-old Texan conceded Sunday that his chances of victory on the Champs-Elysees in Paris next Sunday are slim -- and pledged to be a faithful support rider for Contador.
"Yesterday, he gave me his support, and I believe him," Contador told a news conference at a team hotel in the Swiss town of Sion, near the start of Tuesday's 16th stage in Martigny.
On his Twitter page on Monday, Armstrong wrote: "Just finished a easy ride on rest day [No.] 2. Beautiful here in Sion, Switzerland. Lots of vines..."
Armstrong wasn't speaking to reporters on the rest day, said Astana spokesman Philippe Maertens. But a week earlier, after the two riders leapfrogged each other in the standings, the Texan had referred to "tension" within the team.
That's all but vanished now, Contador said.
"We have come down a lot from the level of tension, both at the [team] dinner table and on the course," he said.
The Spaniard says his top concern in the punishing final week is Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, a strong climber who is 2:26 behind in fifth place.
Bradley Wiggins of Britain, a strong time-trial rider who has proven his ability to climb at this Tour, is third -- 1:46 back -- and will be "dangerous" in Thursday's time trial in Annecy, Contador said.
"I still have a small gap with him, [and] he's one of my biggest competitors now," the Spaniard said. "So maybe I'll try to take some more time on him beforehand, we'll see."
Astana's Andreas Kloeden of Germany is fourth, meaning that Contador is counting on two teammates in the top five to help him to retain the jersey. But the Spaniard won't just wait to be attacked.
"I would sleep better if the gap was bigger," he said. "It all depends on how the stages develop. If I can take advantage of some situations [to extend my lead], I'll do it."
Tuesday's 98.8-mile stage from Martigny, Switzerland to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France, marks the second of three Alpine rides this year -- and features the Grand-Saint-Bernard and Petit-Saint-Bernard passes, each more than 13.5 miles long.
Then, Contador expects Wednesday will be the toughest day this week: Stage 17 takes riders up five climbs, including the super-steep Colombiere and Romme passes.
Friday marks a relatively flat stage before the race climax this year -- an uphill finish at Mont Ventoux, which Armstrong has called the hardest climb in France -- on the next to last race day.
Contador knows he'll need to be on guard, and on form.
"You can always have a bad day in cycling, then the others will attack," he said, "but it's my job not to let it happen."
