Oleg Tinkov says that if Sagan wins two more stages he’ll stay in cycling
With the world champion wearing the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, Pro Cycling Team Tinkoff team owner having second thoughts about leaving the sports at the end of the season
With Peter Sagan holding the yellow jersey after four stages of the Tour de France, Oleg Tinkov is exactly where he likes to be, at the center of attention. Sagan took his first win at the Tour de France since 2013 in Cherbourg and in the process moved into the races leaders jersey for the first time in his career.
“It’s very emotional, I am very happy. That’s why I am here that’s why I sponsor the team, no?” Tinkov told Sporza. “So far I am enjoying the Tour de France…but of course the wins and the emotions like that make me want to stay.”
Related: Peter Sagan to ride for Bora-Hansgrohe in 2017, report
After years of near misses, Sagan also captured his first monument victory at the Tour of Flanders in 2016. After capping off 2015 with a world championship title Sagan has returned to the Tour de France sprinting better than ever and after four stages he also holds the green points jersey finishing no lower than fourth in the race’s first four stages.
“It’s nice for Peter. Cycling really needs guys like him,” said Tinkov. “Froome is a great rider, but when it comes to the look, charisma and entertainment, he does not come close to Sagan.”
Tinkov, who at the beginning of 2016 said that he would pull support from professional cycling because of a bad business model in the sport, said after Stage 4, “If Sagan wins another two stages, I’ll stay in cycling.”
Sagan has been linked to the Bora-Hansgrohe team for 2017 but Tinkov says that as far as he knows the world champion has not yet signed a contract with another team for next season.
Tinkov continued on Alberto Contador who is vying for success in the overall classification but crashed hard on each of the race’s first two stages and has lost valuable time to his main rivals. Tinkov said, “I am split between two emotions. One half is happy, the other one sad. But I still believe in Alberto. He is a strong man. Last year, he fell twice in the Giro, but in the end he won. I hope for him that he can repeat that feat. Of course, Contador does not feel so good after two crashes. He is a bit sad and disappointed. But if his recovery goes well, he can win. “
