Contador rivalry could cost us the Tour, says Armstrong

ISSOUDUN, France (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong warned Tuesday his rivalry with Astana team mate Alberto Contador could cost both riders their chance of Tour de France victory.

The American seven-times Tour champion, back from retirement, is third overall and trailed second-placed Contador by two seconds before the start of the 10th stage.

While Spaniard Contador, the 2007 Tour champion, has denied any rift with Armstrong, the 37-year-old Texan said on Tuesday: "There's a little bit of friction, of tension. We both want to win the Tour."

But the situation is not that tense, according to Armstrong.

"In the first week, the media are looking for stories to write. They analyze every little thing, they say: 'They hate each other'. It's not the case," he said.

"The biggest tragedy would be that the both of us want it so bad that somebody else gets it."

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Justin Palmer)