How great has this recent feud between Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador been?

They tried to hold it together as best they could during this year's Tour De France only to go at each other's throats the moment the tour wrapped up.

For those of you not keeping score of this smack-off, let me get you up to speed.

On Monday, Alberto Contador said, "My relationship with Lance is zero...I have never admired him and never will."

On Tuesday, Lance retaliated with the following tweet: Alberto should "drop his drivel.....hey pistolero, there's no "i" in team."

Yes!

Former teammates; winners of nine of the past 11 Tours and now bitter rivals. But as much as I've enjoyed keeping track of this, the real winner is unquestionably the world of professional cycling. Case in point: someone like myself, who has only mildly been interested in the Tour in year's past, is now counting the days til next summer. 

Some say this heated war is bad for competition and sports in general. I couldn't possibly disagree any more. Between Lou Pinella, Jerry Springer and Dennis Rodman it is very clear that America loves a great fight.

Get ready to see one next July....