Miguel Ángel López will race for Colombian Continental outfit Staff Medellín EPM in 2023 within the wake of his dismissal from Astana-Qazaqstan for his hyperlinks to Dr Marcos Maynar, a Spanish college professor and physician who’s at the moment below investigation for allegedly forming a part of a drug-trafficking ring.
López was provisionally suspended by Astana in the summertime, however the crew reinstated him forward of the Vuelta a España, citing an absence of proof. The Colombian subsequently positioned fourth general on the Vuelta, however he was sacked by Astana in December after the crew obtained new details about his ties to Maynar.
In latest days, López had been linked with a transfer to Staff Medellín EPM, and the squad confirmed his arrival on Sunday. His new teammates will embrace 46-year-old Óscar Sevilla, and López indicated that he would make his debut for the squad at this month’s Vuelta a San Juan.
“I need to thank Staff Medellin for his or her belief, for giving me this lovely alternative,” López mentioned in a video launched by the crew (opens in new tab).
With appreciable understatement, López added that it had been “a sophisticated yr.” After being fired by Astana, the 28-year-old had issued an announcement rejecting “any allegation that would injury his identify and honour as skilled rider,” however he attracted no suitors at WorldTour or ProTeam ranges.
“I used to be virtually left and not using a crew for 2023 as a result of there wasn’t a lot time left within the yr and the groups had been full, there was no area,” mentioned López, who couched his 2023 marketing campaign as a “transitional” season. “I imagine this crew is giving me confidence and an excellent alternative to have the ability to race for the yr in 2023.”
Chatting with Cyclingnews following López’s dismissal, Astana supervisor Alexandre Vinokourov mentioned that the crew had no selection however to half firm with the rider as a result of his hyperlinks to Maynar.
“We gave him one probability earlier than the Vuelta, however I can’t mess around,” Vinokourov mentioned. “It’s clear for everyone, it’s important to respect that.”
Maynar is at the moment below investigation by Spanish police as a part of their inquiry right into a widespread doping ring which reportedly operated out of a sports activities science division on the College of Extremadura, working with cyclists, swimmers and soccer gamers.
#ATENCIÓN 🚨Estamos encantados de hacer oficial la vinculación de @SupermanlopezN al equipo para la presente temporada. Qué orgullo que vistas nuestros colores y representes a Medellín por Colombia y el mundo. Bienvenido campeón, MEDELLÍN será siempre tu casa 🔝 pic.twitter.com/4LwQdoIJuPJanuary 8, 2023
