LIMOGES, France - Alberto Contador shrugged off Lance Armstrong's talk of tensions in the Astana team, saying yesterday that he would let nothing distract him on his quest for a second Tour de France victory.

Seven-time champion Armstrong recognised on Sunday that having two such strong co-leaders in the Kazakh-funded team was not without its problems, saying: "There have been some tensions."

Contador, the 2007 champion, is in second place, six seconds adrift of Rinaldo Nocentini and two seconds ahead of Armstrong.

"It does not trouble me at all," the 26-year-old Contador said yesterday, as riders enjoyed a rest day.

Contador moved ahead of Armstrong after the Spaniard launched an attack on the ascent to Arcalis last Friday.

"Things did not quite go according to the plan that we set earlier," the American said after the stage. Contador said he would not be distracted by the comments.

"In the morning we had a meeting to see how we would deal with the stage. The plan was to wait for the attacks of our rivals but they never came. I was feeling very well and I thought I could make a difference that would benefit the team. Sometimes, what happens in the bus is different from what happens during the stage."

Asked if he had plans to attack his rivals in the Alps, Contador said: "It is up to the others to attack us. I don't have to attack, others have to grab the opportunity."

Should Armstrong try his luck solo, Contador will not chase him.

"If Armstrong attacks, I will not be the one to go and get him," he said. - Reuters