AVIGNON, France — Lance Armstrong says he has no regrets about finishing third at the Tour de France.

The seven-time champion tells The Associated Press in an interview he did as well as could be expected and offered high praise for Alberto Contador, who is headed for his second title. Armstrong said Saturday that even at his peak he may have lost to his Spanish teammate.

"Contador is that good," he says.

Armstrong returned to the Tour after a 3½-year retirement. The 37-year-old Texan was second at one point, but heads to the ceremonial finish in Paris on Sunday in third place.