Oleg Tinkov's plans of becoming owner of either an existing or new team is getting closer to be turned into reality after his spokesman Stefano Feltrin has told Velonation that the number of potential projects has been reduced. A final decision is expected in the first week of December.

While Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov will end his sponsorship of Team Saxo-Tinkoff at the end of 2013, he has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving the cycling world. On the contrary, he plans to increase his engagement as he hopes to become the owner of a team in either 2014 or 2015.

Tinkov was in advanced negotiations with the Cannondale team but they ultimately broke down when the American bike manufacturer decided to up its commitment to the team. Instead, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Tinkov had bought Team Saxo-Tinkoff from its owner Bjarne Riis for almost seven million euro but both parties denied the rumours.

At the time, Tinkov spokesman Stefano Feltrin told Velonation that they was considering several potential projects.

“After the end of our negotiation with Cannondale we have received several proposals - from existing teams and new projects - and we are working on them,” he said then. “Oleg’s relationship with Riis has been always ongoing - as he is, among other things, still his current sponsor.”

These days, Team Saxo-Tinkoff is gathered for their first training camp in Gran Canaria as the riders have started their preparation for the 2014 season. On Saturday, Tinkov tweeted a photo of Alberto Contador and Michael Mørkøv.

“Conta is getting ready to kick ass of Froome))) and I am behind it YET,” he wrote. 

Velonation contacted Feltrin to get an explanation of the word "YET" and was told that the tweet did not indicate that Tinkov had any agreement with the team for the 2014 season.

“I spoke with Oleg and asked him about the tweet: he meant "still" as he is the team' sponsor until December 31st and wanted to voice his support to the riders,” he said.

At the same time, he added that the process of finding a future project is progressing well and that a decision is expected in the near future.

“There is not any agreement for 2014 and beyond with Riis' team nor with any other," Feltrin said. "Lately we have declined some of the proposals we received and at present we are focusing on a very short list of possible projects.
 

“I believe we should finalize - or finally disengage - a decision during first week on December,” he added.

La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that the Danish anti-doping investigation that is rumoured to be very damning for Riis, could lead the Dane to sell his team but that he may continue in the role of team manager. This could open the door for Tinkov but Feltrin refused to reveal whether the Danish team was still one of the possible projects.