Tinkov happy with Ronde van Vlaanderen invite

Tuesday, it was announced that Tinkoff Credit Systems would form part of the 25 teams for the Ronde van Vlaanderen, and team owner, Oleg Tinkov, could have not have been more satisfied. The team fought hard for the selection, taking out four wins in this season with its riders Pavel Brutt and Mikhail Ignatiev.

"I am very pleased and proud to have my team participate in the Ronde van Vlaanderen," the 40 year-old Russian commented to Cyclingnews Wednesday, March 7. "I am also quite happy about my team's performance and it has been a good start to the season. Thanks to Orlando Maini, our great Sport Director whose efforts are greatly appreciated.

"I will be even happier when our team wins a so called 'ProTour' race. For that to happen, we need more wild-card invitations to races, and our whole team, headed by Stefano Feltrin, is working tirelessly on this goal."

Along with the team of Oleg Tinkov will be the 20 ProTour teams and four other wild cards; Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner, Chocolade Jacques-Topsport Vlaanderen, Skil-Shimano and Wiesenhof-Felt.