Oleg Tinkov has been highly critical of Alberto Contador's performances while sponsoring Team Saxo-Tinkoff but now the wealthy Russian has apparently changed his mind. Following yesterday's rumours that he has bought the team from owner Bjarne Riis, he now praises both Riis and the Spanish star on Twitter.

Things can change quickly in the cycling world. In July, Oleg Tinkov - owner of Tinkoff Bank which is a co-sponsor of Team Saxo-Tinkoff - was highly critical of the Danish team and its star rider Alberto Contador when the Spaniard failed to live up to expectations and ended a disappointing 4th in the Tour de France.

In a series of controversial tweets, the Russian didn't hide his frustration.

"Conta performance wasn't good. He need to change many things in his preparation and be more PRO. Will he do that? That's the question," he wrote on July 22 before adding "His salary doesn't match his performance. Too rich and isn't hungry, that's my opinion, and I deserve it. He must work harder."

At the end of the Tour de France, Tinkov and Team Saxo-Tinkoff owner Bjarne Riis decided to part ways, with the sponsorship ending after this season. In September, Riis confirmed to CyclingQuotes that the controversial statements had been part of the reason for the decision to end their partnership.

Yesterday, a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that Tinkov had bought the team from Riis but both parties were quick to deny the rumours. However, Tinkov's legal advisor Stefan Feltrin told Cyclingnews that negotiations with several teams were ongoing and that Team Saxo-Tinkoff was one of them. The Russian has clearly stated his aim of having his own cycling team in the 2015 season.

Apparently, Tinkov has now changed his mind when it comes to the assessment of Contador's potential as a future grand tour winner. Yesterday, he sent a new tweet that praised both Riis and the Spanish star.

"I believe that Bjarne Riis is the best Sport D`erector in the peloton. I also believe that Alberto Contador is able to win TdF. Regardless," he wrote.

At the same time, main sponsor Saxo Bank has reacted to the news by claiming that the team is about to reach an agreement with a potential co-sponsor. In October, the bank confirmed that they would up their commitment to cover the shortfall left by Tinkov's withdrawal but the team also affirmed that they were still looking for a new co-sponsor.

“It has always been our practice not to comment on rumours , and this also applies in this case , so I will neither confirm or deny anything ,” spokesman Kasper Elbjørn told Politiken.  “However, I can say this much, that the negotiations for the benefit of a co-sponsor, which has been going on since Saxo Bank guaranteed the necessary chapter to the team's continued existence just over three weeks ago in Madrid, is very promising.”
 

He added that it was very unlikely that Riis would leave the team.