Danish newspaper BT has reported that the MTN-Qhubeka and Trek Factory Racing team have both turned down an offer of sponsorship and management involvement from Bjarne Riis and Saxo Bank for 2016.

Riis has a great relationship with Saxo Bank CEO Lars Seier Christensen and is actively seeking a return to pro cycling in 2016 after falling out and being sacked from Tinkoff-Saxo by owner Oleg Tinkov just before Milan-Sanremo.

"There has not been any negotiations on our part, but it is true that Bjarne Riis has inquired about the possibilities," BT reported MTN-Qhubeka manager Brian Smith as saying. BT also report that Trek Factory Racing were also offered sponsorship.

MTN-Qhubeka have turned him down as they have a zero-tolerance doping policy and Riis admitted to taking drugs when he was a rider.

“For us it has not been possible to initiate a collaboration with Bjarne Riis. Our new sponsor has values that are not consistent with his history; Riis has previously doped. It was emphasized very clearly that it would not be feasible, and it was solely because of Riis,” BT report Smith as saying.

When contacted, Riis and his representatives refused to make any comment to both BT and Cyclingnews.