Miguel Ángel López responds to Astana's termination of contract

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."