Christian Vande Velde has forgiven Lance Armstong, if only so he can keep his focus on more important matters.

The Lemont native is 12th through five stages of the Tour de France, and has little time to contemplate the recently-published dis of his 2008 Tour finish served up by his former teammate and seven-time Tour champ.

"He apologized and I accept it," Vande Velde said Wednesday via phone from France. "I'm just trying to distance myself from all of that. It bothered me a little. But I have enough to concentrate on with the race."

In a new book titled, "Lance - The Making of the World's Greatest Champion," Armstrong is quoted as saying, "The (2008) Tour was a bit of a joke. I've got nothing against (champion, Carlos) Sastre or Christian Vande Velde. Christian's a nice guy, but finishing fifth in the Tour de France? Come on!"

On Tuesday, Armstrong back-pedaled from that sentiment, saying, "I was disrespectful of Carlos Sastre, Christian Vande Velde - the guys who were a presence in last year's Tour, and that was not correct."

For more from Vande Valde's conversation with staff writer Pat Disabato, see Thursday's SouthtownStar.