Saxo-Tinkoff and Tinkoff to Split at End of Season Following Difficulties

July 25, 2013

Saxo-Tinkoff  has announced that the team will be ending their partnership with Tinkoff Bank, leading the cycling team to search for a new co-sponsor for next season.

“During the course of our extensive negotiations with Tinkoff Bank it has become clear that we are unable to settle on common views”, team owner Bjarne Riis said in a statement. “The ideas that are necessary for our partnership to grow and be successful for both parties beyond 2013. Most importantly, we disagree on how the team should be run.”

“For all of these reasons, I have decided to explore other possibilities and end the negotiations with Tinkoff Bank. I would like to thank Oleg Tinkov personally and Tinkoff Bank for their great contribution to the team. I look forward to working with Tinkoff Bank for the rest of 2013, and will also take this opportunity to wish them all the best for the future.”

Saxo Bank had previously stated that they had difficulties in negotiations with their co-sponsor, but that the bank would stay with the team through 2014 “to help ensure the future of the team”.

“We already have a strong portfolio of partners onboard, and our key partner Saxo Bank have told us that they are ready to continue their sponsorship in 2014 and are willing to help us find a solution that benefit all parties involved. So I’m confident we will be able to continue to field a strong and competitive team in the years to come,” Bjarne Riis added.

Oleg Tinkov had been vocal in his disappointment in Saxo-Tinkoff captain Alberto Contador’s fourth-place performance in the Tour de France, taking to Twitter to say: “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…” [sic]