Miguel Ángel López responds to Astana's termination of contract
CyclingTuesday, 13 December 2022 at 00:16
This week in the cycling world started off with a blast, after Astana Qazaqstan Team have terminated Miguel Ángel López' contract following further evidence of his involvement in a drug trafficking ring. López has now responded.
"Today the decision of the Astana Qazaqstan team to terminate the contract that linked the cyclist Miguel Ángel López with it, a contract that had been renewed in November 2022, for the 2023 season, has been publicly communicated," said a note shared in the Colombian rider's social media, likely written by his lawyer team. He was set to continue with the Kazakh team, where he has been leading since the start of this season, but saw his contract terminated with immediate effect.
López had been interrogated by Spanish authorities when he returned to Europe in late July ahead of the Vuelta a Espana. Although he was released, the team said it has found new evidence showing his connections with Dr. Marcos Maynar, who has been arrested earlier this year over the control of a doping ring based in Cáceres, Spain.
"The cyclist Mr. Miguel Ángel López considers said decision absolutely unjustified, there being no new fact that justifies it and that was unknown in November 2022 by the Astana team," the statement continued, "rejecting any insinuation that harms his name and honor as a professional cyclist, and remembering that never, ever during his career, he has tested positive for any doping substance or has even been the object of investigation by the competent authorities."
López had previously stated to be taking legal action and denying his involvement in any investigation, and the post ended on that note: "Mr. Miguel Ángel López informs that he will exercise all the legal actions that assist him in defense of his rights, given what he understands to be a clear case of abusive dismissal and without just cause."
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- All very sad. But you seem to be backing the journalists in generally demonising Tadej and canonising Jonas. This article is interesting though, and suggests Jonas is making very good financial decisions, acquiring luxury homes that he and his family are enjoying living in, and staying near family (also now in luxury homes) who can help with the kids. Sounds like a great lifestyle, and not a basis for critising Pog's decisions.Hills3311-01-2026
- Anyone who thinks the Giro is a training camp for the Tour, for Vingegaard, is not right in the head. First of all, he is not Pogacar and secondly, UAE will send almost A team to make Jonas life miserable and make the race difficult. If the danish fisherman competes in Giro, his chances drop from 20 to 2 percent. I also read some foolish statements that the 2026 Tour is against Pogi and I'm dying of laughter. 2026 is the most ideal Tour that Pogi will ever ride. Not a single stage is difficult except 20st. Everything else is made for UAE to control. Every mountain stage has 30-40km of easy terrain before the last climb.NikkoNicco11-01-2026
- it doesn’t matter what Jonas is doing with the houses, the article is trash. and the fact that he is buying houses in Denmark with no criticism makes everyone’s point all the stronger. it is Tadej’s life. he isn’t breaking the law. he can live where he wishes how he wishes. and his “side” isn’t quoted, which especially irks me. it makes it sound as if he is living in Monaco just to cheat taxes. maybe he is there because it is an ideal training base year round. or any other number or reasons. and, it happens to be a good financial decision.mij11-01-2026
- Unbelievably I remember people saying 2024 Pogi was avoiding Jonas by riding the Giro. Seriously why wouldn’t Jonas ride the Giro? Only GT he hasn’t won. It’s a pretty obvious and logical move.mobk11-01-2026
- it must suck to have to admit that the time to win is only going to be a result of someone else’s retirement, not improved skill or speed.mij11-01-2026
- National champs are supposed to be individual events, rider v rider not raced as teams.wipperman9511-01-2026
- National champs are supposed to be individual events, rider v rider not raced as teams.wipperman9511-01-2026
- I assume Plapp will be about as popular as a fart in a gas mask this season on the team bus. What an absolute clown shoe. Attacking his own team-mate with a lap and a half to go, bringing back his rivals with you, then fluffing it yourself to let the other guy win. You’d assume that if they had race radios, the DS would be telling Plapp to stop p*sing on Durbo’s chips, but at the same time you’d also expect a World Tour rider to understand this kind of basic racecraft. Felt like watching Dwars with Nielsen Powless and Visma. Hats off to the winner though, and him sledging his former team for giving him the boot, haha. Unreal scenes.antipodeanpedalfan11-01-2026
- You can write the same article replacing JV with a whole bunch of names. Every race needs competitors and wants the best they can get. Jonas has a Vuelta, 2 Tours and no Giro, you said it yourself so - Go figure. Has he ruled out the Tour? Am convinced if Tadej decides to do the Giro, Jonas won’t cancel, it’s nothing to do with dodging, it’s about deciding for himself and not living for others. Jonas has offered plenty of competition to Tadej, it’s not his only purpose or obligation. Had there not been a Tadej, he’d be considered one of the too 3 GT riders ever, he’s just a bit unlucky not to clearly be ahead of Froome and no other recent rider comes close, though Rogliç might have given him a good run if not in the same team.Mistermaumau11-01-2026
- But you see, you are looking at Jonas as if he thinks like you. Maybe he’s not buying houses to MAKE money, perhaps just to use them? There are plenty of countries and cultures where it is quite common for people with means to help those with less, family, friends, neighbours, community. It used to be more like that in a lot of countries where (aside from dole fringe minority) that seems to have changed and probably been forgotten.Mistermaumau11-01-2026
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En el día de hoy se ha comunicado públicamente la decisión del equipo Astaná Qazaqstan de rescindir el contrato que me vinculaba como ciclista, considero dicha decisión absolutamente injustificada. 📩 Comunicación.
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