Former Vuelta a Espana winner under investigation by Colombian police for alleged role in double disappearance

A scandal has shaken Colombian cycling. Renowned former rider Lucho Herrera has been accused of involvement in a double disappearance that occurred in 2002. As a result, he is now under investigation for possible involvement in the case.

According to a report from Ciclo21, Herrera is suspected of having played a role in the disappearance of Diuviseldo Torres and Gonzalo Guerrero, which took place 23 years ago.

A protected witness gave the following testimony: "Mr. Lucho Herrera offered me something to drink and handed me two manila envelopes. One contained photos of four people we were supposed to collect. He said they were guerrilla militiamen who were planning to kidnap him. The other envelope had 40 million pesos, and he told us we could use it to buy weapons and motorcycles. These people lived near his farm."

The witness continued: "We took two in the back of the vehicle and two in the front. We took them to a farm along the road from Novilleros to Aguadita, where we killed them. Then we dismembered the bodies."

The victims were reportedly neighbours of Herrera, and the paramilitary group later realised that Herrera had a personal interest in acquiring their land.

The former cyclist - winner of the 1987 Vuelta a Espana - has been under investigation since April 7.