Oleg Tinkov fears for his life
Long-time cycling patron Oleg Tinkov clearly opposed Russia's war of aggression in an Instagram post on 19 April: "I see no beneficiary of this crazy war! Innocent people and soldiers are dying. The generals who woke up with a hangover realised that they had a shitty army. And how is the army supposed to be good when everything else in the country is shit and mired in cronyism and subservience? Kremlin officials are shocked that not only they but also their children will not be travelling to the Mediterranean in the summer. Businessmen are trying to save the rest of the property. Of course there are idiots who draw Z, but idiots in any country are 10%. 90% of Russians are AGAINST this war!"
The consequences of his message were dramatic: according to his own statements, he was forced to sell his stake in Tinkoff Bank at a "ridiculous price". The bank announced a change of name. Tinkov, who lives in the USA, fears for his life. The number of at least six Russian oligarchs who have died under mysterious circumstances since the start of the war shows that this is not unfounded.
Sanctions
At the beginning of March, the Union Cycliste International (UCI) banned all teams from Russia and Belarus from international races - riders are also not allowed to take part in the World Cycling Championships in Australia. Team Gazprom-Rusvelo is one of the most important teams affected by the decision. In mid-May, the team's riders were still without new teams. In a press release, the riders' union CPA called on the UCI to find a solution. A debate has flared up around the Russian oligarch Igor Makarov, who sits on the UCI management committee. The honorary president of the Russian Cycling Federation was alleged to be close to Putin in documents from the US Treasury Department in 2017. Australia and Canada placed him on a sanctions list at the end of April.
New jobs
The "Retailers helping retailers" initiative has launched an aid campaign for refugees from Ukraine. On the free platform jobaidukraine.com they should find work quickly. Rose Bikes shareholder Marcus Diekmann, co-initiator of the project, is counting on IT and care jobs in particular. Further job links on LinkedIn
Tony Martin auctions Olympic medal
Four-time time trial world champion Tony Martin has auctioned off his Olympic medal to raise money for Ukraine. The sports nutrition company Fitline bought the Olympic silver medal from London 2012 at auction for 31,100 euros and added 3,900 euros. Martin then received his precious metal back.
New flag
Pavel Sivakov (Team Ineos-Grenadiers) has been riding under the French flag instead of the Russian flag since March 2022. Born in Russia, he has lived in France since childhood and holds both nationalities. He spoke out clearly against the war in statements.
Donation wheel
Bicycle manufacturer 3T has launched the special edition "Exploro RaceMax Ukraine". Five bikes in the Ukrainian national colours were sold at a price of 7,500 euros each. All proceeds go to the Red Cross for aid in Ukraine.
Victims of war
Alexander Kulyk, long-time coach of the Ukrainian Cycling Federation, was killed while helping people flee Kiev during a military operation. The 65-year-old had already worked as a cycling coach in the USSR and later also in Russia.
Triathlon sanctions
Triathlon has also reacted: Athletes from Russia and Belarus can no longer take part in triathlons in the Challenge Family and Ironman series.
Ullrich donation
Jan Ullrich has donated a racing bike from 1998 for an auction in Ukraine. At the time, Ullrich was on the verge of overall victory in the Tour de France, with a yellow-painted Pinarello at the ready. However, Marco Pantani snatched the Tour victory away from Ullrich. The bike was sold for 40,100 euros at www.unitedcharity.de auctioned.
Former Astana pro Andriy Grivko is currently in crisis mode as President of the Ukrainian Cycling Federation: he has to save athletes and promote cycling at the same time. TOUR spoke to him in February 2022.
TOUR What does the work of a cycling official look like in war?
Grivko Our job is to help the Ukrainian athletes survive. We already have 200 Ukrainian cyclists and coaches in the European Union and are trying to get more young people out of the country and save them. The cooperation with the UCI and UEC (World and European Cycling Union, editor's note) is going very well. They have given us 200,000 euros in emergency aid, which we urgently need. We have already spent a quarter of it. We need the money because there is no more financial support from Ukraine due to the war. We give athletes money for travelling expenses or food. They also need new clothes and equipment for training and competitions. And we don't know whether the war will last another week, month or year. We are therefore not only thinking about tomorrow, but also about international competitions such as the 2024 Olympic Games.
Where do you currently work?
I am in France with my family and our Secretary General is now working in a UCI office in Switzerland. However, there are still many employees who are in Ukraine.
Are there also cyclists who fight?
Yes, of course. But not in the army, but in territorial defence.
What do you want?
We still need the absolute support of all nations - even when it comes to sporting sanctions. Putin has always used sport for his propaganda. But the most important thing is that we must manage to end this war!
Kristian Bauer
Editor
