21 July,2009 08:22 AM IST | | PA Sport
Alberto Contador is confident he has the backing of Astana teammate Lance Armstrong in his quest to retain the yellow jersey until the end of the Tour de France.
Contador produced a devastating break in the final five kilometres of the first-category climb to the finish line in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier to win stage 15 on Sunday.
The Spaniard, champion two years ago, came home 43 seconds clear of Saxo-Bank's Andy Schleck to hold a 97-second lead over Armstrong in the general classification.
And Contador feels the American, a seven-time Tour winner, will do all he can for the Spanish rider in his bid for victory.
"Sunday's stage was a big step toward final victory," he said yesterday, a rest day on the Tour ahead of the final mountain stages in the Alps.
"I fully trust my team. The riders are professional. I will finish this race with them without any problems.
"After yesterday's result, everything is much clearer within the team now. (Lance) said yesterday he would back me. I believe him."
Britain's Bradley Wiggins is now in third place in the GC, one minute 46seconds behind Contador, but the Spaniard feels Luxembourg youngster Schleck poses the greater threat.
