Talking forward of Wednesday’s workforce presentation of his new Medellín-EPM squad for 2023, Miguel Angel López has hit out at previous workforce Astana Qazaqstan for the way of his exit over the winter.
López was sacked by the Kazakhstani squad over his hyperlinks to the Spanish physician Marcos Maynar, who was arrested in Might for crimes in opposition to public well being, drug trafficking, and cash laundering.
With most WorldTour groups already full, he ultimately signed with the Colombian Continental workforce Medellín-EPM in early January, that means he will not be racing at WorldTour degree for the entire yr.
In a radio interview with Colombian radio present Weblog Deportivo (opens in new tab), López stated that Astana “turned their again” on him, including that no one from the workforce had spoken to him since.
“It is a complicated and delicate challenge that has brought about loads of harm,” he stated. “They turned their backs on me, they me out and since that day I’ve not spoken to anybody within the workforce. It is as if I had died for them.
“I felt unusual as a result of my relationship with the workforce goes again a decade. There wasn’t even a ‘Good day, how are you?’ or ‘How are you coping?'”
López lamented the state of affairs he was left in, looking for a workforce with the brand new season developing quick. Nonetheless, he asserted that his anti-doping report was unblemished and stated that he’s trying ahead to competing in his residence nation this yr.
“They informed me I used to be leaving when many groups had already closed, so it was very sophisticated,” he stated. “My anti-doping organic passport controls are unblemished, and that’s what counts. Immediately I’m allowed to compete in any workforce.
“The primary goal now could be to take pleasure in being in Colombia, to be with my household and the followers. I wish to take pleasure in each second to its most. Right here, the rhythm of the race is completely different, and there are a lot of components that rely, however we’re superb.”
Later, talking on the Medellín-EPM workforce presentation, throughout which the workforce unveiled a change from a plain black equipment to a vibrant multi-colour fade quantity, López stated that he is motivated and keen to begin racing once more.
He’ll make his full debut with the workforce at subsequent week’s Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina alongside 46-year-old teammate Oscar Sevilla.
“I am tremendous motivated and keen,” he stated. “As soon as once more, I’ve the hope to combat and luxuriate in with the good teammates I’ve, to race in my nation, to share with the individuals, to be tranquil, and to stay biking extra absolutely.
“I have never been in a position to prepare very effectively on the finish of 2022 – it has been sophisticated. However we now have a wonderful workforce, nice teammates, and excellent individuals. We’ll do effectively, with out strain, and luxuriate in and stay each second, which is crucial factor.”
López has already taken his first race win since becoming a member of his new workforce, albeit on the 72km native race, the Clásica de Ciudad de Vileta, the place he took victory by over two minutes. He has additionally not too long ago set a new Strava report (opens in new tab) up the Alto de las Palmas, beating occasions set by the likes of Sergio Higuita, Egan Bernal, and Rigoberto Urán and signalling his good kind.
More durable challenges lie forward although, together with a battle with Bernal, Higuita, world champion Remco Evenepoel, and Dani Martínez in San Juan.
“In Vileta there wasn’t a really excessive participation,” he informed Weblog Deportivo. “That is why I may very well be far forward. However in Colombia the extent could be very excessive. I am unable to say that I am at all times going to win, however I at all times wish to be at 100%.”
