We did not wait for the response from Oleg Tinkov to Bjarne Riis after the Dane  criticized the Russian entrepreneur's decision to close his Tinkoff team that he bought from Riis. Today Tinkov has hit back in an interview with Cyclingnews where he makes it clear that the 1996 Tour de France winner is unworthy of a return to pro cycling.

"I never said that before, but if he opens up the discussion, I should say that people like Riis, Bruyneel and Vaughters must be banned out of cycling for life," Tinkov told the website. "They not only highly promoted doping, but also materially benefit from it. I see this as a crime, actually. Pity that such a people are getting back into my sport."

Tinkov confirmed that he will stay away from cycling for a couple of years because at the moment is " tired of it all.” In an earlier interview, however, he has hinted that he wants to return when Chris Froome has retired and a Tour de France win is a more realistic prospect.