Although the anticipated sale of Team Saxo Tinkoff to Oleg Tinkov could in theory mean a change in nationality for the squad to Russia, Anti Doping Denmark (ADD) has said that Bjarne Riis would not be immune from sanction if it does find against him in the ongoing investigation.
The body has been looking into his past as a manager and owner of the team, with past riders such as Tyler Hamilton and Michael Rasmussen claiming that Riis either encouraged or tolerated doping on his squads.
Rasmussen’s allegations are particularly relevant to the ADD investigation, given that he is from Denmark and because he spoke at length to the body in the course of its enquiry.
It is expected that Riis will state at a press conference scheduled for London on Monday that he has sold his team to Tinkov. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former pro will switch from being team owner to general manager, and will work more closely with the riders from this point rather than having to occupy himself with the search for sponsorship.
However even if the team does switch to Russian registration, ADD told BT that Riis would still be answerable to it.
“It is irrelevant if he continues to operate in another country. For a sports director, the penalty applies to all work, no matter where the licence belongs. It’s the same as applies for athletes.
“During a sanction period, a cyclist may not switch to a team with the licence of another country and keep racing for it.”
It is anticipated that a decision from ADD will fall in January.