Tinkoff-Saxo Owner Warns Of Team's Demise If Economic Sanctions Against Russia Continue

Tinkoff-Saxo Owner Oleg Tinkov warned that "he may have to shut down his team if economic sanctions against Russia continue," according to ALL SPORTS. Tinkov questioned why the int'l community, led by the U.S., has "imposed economic sanctions on his homeland." Tinkov "could not resist dropping a bombshell by questioning the future of his team, which includes Alberto Contador." Tinkov said, "If the sanctions will deteriorate the Russian economy, and share prices decline even more ... then the Tinkoff bank starts to suffer, then I stop my sponsorship. I don't know as owner of the team if I will be able to find a substitution sponsor in Europe. Most likely, I will not, and I will have to shut down the team." Tinkov also claimed Contador could win all three grand tours in '15 -- the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana -- and insisted that "the Spaniard would do it cleanly" (ALL SPORTS, 12/29).