Bjarne Riis has confirmed to Cyclingnews that he is willing to return to cycling, but he has to find the right team to do so. He confirmed he has been in contact with Dimension Data and the Bahrain Project for 2017.

"I've talked to different teams but right now I don't see the right one for me," Riis told Cyclingnews from his home in Lugano. "It has to be right though," he stressed. "That's why Lars (Seier Christensen, Saxo Bank owner) and I have looked at creating our own team for either now or later."

Riis says he would like to get involved for 2017, as there are lots of high quality riders available, but if he doesn’t have the budget, he says he wont enter the sport early.

"We would like to jump on the train right now because there are options in terms of riders and everything but if the money is not there then it's just too unhealthy.”

Riis says he thinks the Bahrain project will be successful, but he is doubtful that it is the team best suited to him.

"There are a lot of rumours out there. There could be possibilities but I'm looking at finding the right project for me. I have been asked by different places to join but I don't need to be there. I'd like to be involved because I know that I have a lot to give and I have ideas on how to run a set up but like I said, it has to be the right one. I never talked to IAM but Bahrain, I was involved in but I don't really see that structure as the right one for me. I think that the project is good but I'd hesitate there."

Riis said he would still love to work with Alberto Contador once more, and the two have a phenomenal relationship and have brought each other many successes over the seasons.

"I would love to. I'm watching him and all these guys. I'm watching a lot of television and I'd love to work with Alberto. He's an amazing bike rider and he still has huge potential. If anyone can beat Froome it's him."