[ad_1]
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 underneath investigation for allegedly forming a part of a drug-trafficking ring.
López was provisionally suspended by Astana in the summertime, however the workforce reinstated him forward of the Vuelta a España, citing a scarcity of proof. The Colombian subsequently positioned fourth total on the Vuelta, however he was sacked by Astana in December after the workforce acquired new details about his ties to Maynar.
In current days, López had been linked with a transfer to Staff Medellín EPM, and the squad confirmed his arrival on Sunday. His new teammates will embody 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 wish to thank Staff Medellin for his or her belief, for giving me this lovely alternative,” López stated in a video launched by the workforce (opens in new tab).
With appreciable understatement, López added that it had been “a sophisticated 12 months.” After being fired by Astana, the 28-year-old had issued an announcement rejecting “any allegation that might harm his title and honour as skilled rider,” however he attracted no suitors at WorldTour or ProTeam ranges.
“I used to be nearly left with no workforce for 2023 as a result of there wasn’t a lot time left within the 12 months and the groups had been full, there was no house,” stated López, who couched his 2023 marketing campaign as a “transitional” season. “I imagine this workforce is giving me confidence and an amazing alternative to have the ability to race for the 12 months in 2023.”
Talking to Cyclingnews following López’s dismissal, Astana supervisor Alexandre Vinokourov stated that the workforce had no alternative however to half firm with the rider because of his hyperlinks to Maynar.
“We gave him one likelihood earlier than the Vuelta, however I can’t mess around,” Vinokourov stated. “It’s clear for everyone, it’s a must to respect that.”
Maynar is at the moment underneath 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
[ad_2]