Contador says he was right to stay with Astana

TENERIFE, Spain (Reuters) - Alberto Contador is pleased he decided to stay with the Astana team, he said on Thursday.

The Spaniard, who won the 2007 Tour de France and achieved a 2008 Giro d'Italia-Tour of Spain double, said earlier this year he might leave the Kazakh-funded outfit if he was not guaranteed team leadership.

"As time passes you see the different points of view," he told Reuters in an interview as he looked ahead to a 2009 season with seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong as his team mate.

"You analyze the situation and once the shock has passed you see the different possibilities Astana is offering you.

"The Astana people have faith in me. Today I'm sure I'm starting the season having made the correct decision."

Contador, who turns 26 on Saturday, was welcomed by a hug from Armstrong at a news conference in Tenerife where the squad is gathered for a training camp.

The Spaniard expressed initial shock when Armstrong announced in September he was coming out of a three-year retirement.

"I talked with the people involved and there was also my contractual situation," said Contador, referring to his Astana deal which runs until the end of next season.

BEST TEAM MATE

Team manager Johann Bruyneel, who helped the American win his seven Tours and guided Contador to victory in France last year, predicted an excellent alliance with Armstrong.

"If Lance is not the best, he will become the best team mate Alberto could ever have dreamed of," the Belgian said.

While the 37-year-old Armstrong is to start his season next month at the Tour Down Under and will also ride the demanding Giro, Contador is to focus on the Tour de France.

"As one of the top riders, I have the possibility to win the Tour," he said.

Contador added however that it was not always best to finish first.

"Winning all the time is not good because you get accustomed to it and you may lose that hunger for victory," he said.

Contador missed this year's Tour de France, with Astana not invited because of their past doping record, and the 2006 edition when he was with Liberty Seguros.

Asked if he was bitter to have twice missed the race, he said: "I'm still young, I still have a future, time is on my side.

"Maybe I would have a different opinion if I had not won the Giro. But I won and actually I enjoyed my holidays on the beach."

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)