A few days ago, Danish medias explained that Bjarne Riis would like to buy back the Tinkoff-Saxo team. But Oleg Tinkov, the millionaire owner, denies dealing with the former Tour de France winner whom he claims is obsessed about returning to professional cycling because of his ego.

According to Cyclingnews, Tinkov doesn't think that Riis has the funds or sponsors in place to complete a deal: "I haven't heard from Riis since he left the team. I've spoken to Lars Seier Christensen a few times and know that he wants to come back. But if you ask me, he's making a mistake. I think after his latest confessions in the Anti-Doping Denmark report he's like Lance Armstrong, he's persona non grata in cycling. Of course if he wants to come back, I can't stop him, it's his right. Though I don't think it's good for cycling."

"He can buy my team if he wants; anybody can. I don't care if it's Riis or a Sheik from Abu Dhabi or Dubai. It'd be a business decision for me. I paid Riis €4.5 million for the team. If someone offers me more, I'd consider selling it. But I honestly doubt that they have the money", Tinkov explained. "Riis seemed obsessed about coming back. He wants his old team back because of his ego and what happened. But the truth is that Riis has no real money to buy the team and Lars has no real money either. The Danes are always looking for a deal but they're too cheap. They don't have the money like some Russians or Arabs do."

Tinkov added that all the riders are under contract and that the team is set for 2016 season. "We have the budget and the team will simply be called Tinkoff. We've already designed a prototype of a very beautiful new jersey with a huge Tinkoff logo on the chest. I like that. If someone wants to buy the team they have to be quick, they probably have two weeks left. Because once we have our first team meeting in Croatia at the end of the month, then it's too late."