With many fans criticising Team Sky’s approach to the Giro where they put Richie Porte in a motorhome rather than letting him stay with teammates in a hotel, Tinkoff-Saxo owner Oleg Tinkov has voiced his support to the team, saying he believes they are helping to change cycling.

Tinkov praised Sky’s approach into refining the way that teams tackle racing, saying on his Facebook page: “They really try to CHANGE CYCLING. And I respect them for doing this”.

While Porte eventually abandoned the Giro due to crashes and bad luck, Tinkov says that while it hasn’t worked for Sky in the Giro, he said Sky at least make an effort to change cycling.

“With all of the jokes and polemics about Richie Porte’s motorhome, and Team Sky initiatives, I would have to admit that they are the ones who try. In contrast to old European schools [teams], who just laugh at them.”

“Dave Brailsford is consistently looking for the right people and new methods, and this is a huge breakthrough for our sport,” said Tinkov. “Maybe this RV idea won’t work, but you never know before you test.”