Cycling: Tinkoff-Saxo owner Oleg Tinkov warns the UCI he is ready for war

Tinkov is unhappy with how the UCI have dealt with their case against Tinkoff-Saxo rider Roman Kreuziger, who allegedly has anomalies in his biological passport, while he believes cycling's international governing body are "the main obstacle" to improving the sport.

The Russian businessman has been vocal in his criticism of the way pro cycling is run since he bought Tinkoff-Saxo late last year, while he has reportedly been part of the secretive Project Avignon organisation that is investigating how to improve the UCI WorldTour.

In an interview with Cyclingnews, Tinkov warned the UCI that if they try to silence him, he is willing to start a war to protect his interests.

"Some people think the UCI will go against us now and perhaps not give us a [WorldTour] licence as they did with Katusha. But I'm not looking to start a war, I'm just trying to change cycling, to make it better," he said.

"I'm the one paying the bills and I'm the one with a heart for this sport and just want to make it more valuable and better.

"But if I start the war there will be no hostages. They should understand that. I'm not starting a war yet but if they want one, then they will cry.

"Of course, if they're ready to sit down and discuss things in a normal way then we should do that. If they're looking for a war then I'm ready, no problem. Then they will push me to become the Bernie Ecclestone of cycling and create my own league.

"I have a sponsor behind me and I have investors behind me. If we - the team owners - make an agreement with ASO [the Amaury Sport Organisation - that runs the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and other elite cycling races], why do we need the UCI?"

Tinkov added he is planning legal action against the UCI for their provisional suspension against Kreuziger.

Tinkoff-Saxo left Kreuziger out of the Tour de France due to perceived anomalies in his biological passport, which is a record of a cyclist's biological markers used to combat doping.

Kreuziger was then named in Tinkoff-Saxo's Tour de Pologne squad but the UCI stepped in, suspending the 28-year-old until his case is heard.

Tinkov feels that is unfair.
"My idea now is to ask them for compensation. I want them to face their commercial responsibilities," the 46-year-old said.

"Maybe I'll take action in a London court not in a sporting court. They're managing big business sport and so they have to be responsible for what they're doing.

"I've basically lost a lot of money because of their stupid procedures. They need clarify the rules for the biological passport. Some people, some experts say there are anomalies. Others say there aren't but who is going to prove what is the truth and when? And how long is all going to take?"

Tinkov claimed he originally thought the ASO were holding pro cycling back but now blames the UCI, claiming they are restricting his ability to profit from the sport.

"The UCI doesn't care about the money. They're a bunch of bureaucrats," he said.

"They've tried to establish the rules but can't even do that. They don't understand about business and money and are making a real mess at the moment."