His teammate Contador comes up big today. It's put up or shut up time for his claim on playing a support role if it came to that.
Armstrong admitted he was "on the limit" as early as the bottom of the climb and from then on had little else to give.</p>
But after admitting Contador was the better man on the day, the American now appears ready to give the Spaniard his full backing.</p>
"There is no point messing around. I gave everything I had and I wasn't the best," said Armstrong.</p>
"I'm gonna do my best and be a solid teammate."</p>
Last week, Armstrong admitted there were tensions within the Astana team because of his rivalry with Contador but the seven-times Tour champion said on Sunday he would now be happy to be the Spaniard's domestique.