Oleg Tinkov has admitted that he was maybe a little bit over board when he criticized he star rider Alberto Contador for a lack of professionalism and being overpaid. He is convinced that there are no longer any issues between the pair and that Contador understands that the tweets were mainly provocations.

With Oleg Tinkov's purchase of Bjarne Riis' team that will be known as Team Tinkoff-Saxo in 2014, Alberto Contador will have to work even closer together with the Russian businessman. The pair have had a strained relationship since this year's Tour de France when Tinkov heavily criticized the star rider of the team of which he was a co-sponsor.

Tinkov had expected Contador to win another edition of the world's biggest bike race in 2013 but very early it was clear that Contador was not at the same level as eventual winner Chris Froome. In fact, the multiple grand tour winner was far from the level that have seen him dominate stage races in the past and he finished a disappointing 4th.

Tinkov did nothing to hide his disappointment and frustration and wrote several tweets that heavily criticized Contador's performance:

“Conta performance wasn’t good. He need to change many things in his preparation and be more PRO. Will he do that? That’s the question…”

“His salary doesn’t match his performance. Too rich and isn’t hungry, that’s my opinion, and I deserve it. He must work harder”

At last week's press conference, Tinkov was keen to play down any controversy and Contador said that the pair had had talks of reconciliation at the training camp in Gran Canaria. Today Tinkov plays down the issue even further, telling Velonews that his tweets were mainly provocations.

“He had some issues but of course, he understands that it was just a provocation,” he said. “I’m passionate about this sport and sometimes, I was just maybe a little bit over [board] but it’s not a big deal.

“I don’t know if Alberto understands it or not," he added. "I haven’t discussed it with him. I don’t think he’s looking at social media so much. We have no issues, as you saw at the London press conference.”

With Contador being the star rider on the team he now owns, Tinkov's assessment of the Spaniard's capabilities has changed. In fact, he now praises the rider that he criticized a few months ago.

“Alberto is the only rider capable of beating Chris Froome,” he said.

Contador will target the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana in 2014.