Oleg Tinkov was at Il Lombardia on Saturday for his final race as team owner of the Tinkoff team and a final dinner in Milan with many of the riders and staff. He has hinted that he may eventually return to the sport in a few years' time but wanted to end his current spell as an often outspoken, often boisterous team owner with a final a farewell interview with Cyclingnews.
As in his blogs and throughout his five years as a sponsor and team owner, Tinkov has always spoken his mind, criticising the way the sport is managed, taking pot shots at his rivals and even at his own riders when they fail to live up to his expectations. In this final interview he again calls on ASO to take control of the sport and turn it into ‘pure business’ using pay for view television model and without the UCI involved. He also talks about his personal enjoyment of spending 50 million Euros to fund the team and recalls his memories – good and bad – from over the years.
Tinkov was critical of Peter Sagan in 2015 but he claims they now get on well. However he reveals his true sentiments about Alberto Contador, criticising him on his performances in 2016, describing him as a "limping duck" and predicting he will never win another Grand Tour.
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Although he now rarely rants on Twitter, Tinkov made waves and enemies in the past, often with offensive comments. He claims he was provoked and was replying to those who offended him. He signs off by insisting he loves cycling and hinting he may return when the sport has reformed and Chris Froome has grown old and is perhaps unable to win the Tour de France.
Cyclingnews: Oleg, was your last day in the team car an emotional moment?
Oleg Tinkov: Yes and no. I announced my decision last December and so I knew this day was coming. The whole season has been a process of ending my ties to professional cycling and saying goodbye. The Tour de France was emotional because I knew it was my last Tour and because it was an emotional race. Like a rider who retires after a long career, I’m gradually getting used to it.
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