Miguel Ángel López to face Evenepoel and Bernal at Vuelta a San Juan climbing clash - "The idea is to spend this year chasing away the negative"

Miguel Ángel López has had a very complicated month, but has assured his presence in the peloton for 2023. The Colombian is still unsure of some of his calendar, but will be at the start of the Vuelta a San Juan where he should be one of the main favourites.

“It is something very stimulating. Racing back home, with the people who love you, in your country, in your land," López said in an interview with Centro Deportivo della Cadena Radial Antena Dos. "I think it's nice to race in Colombia again since I haven't done it since 2014."

For the first time in his professional career López will be racing for a team of his nation. His transfer to Team Medellín - EPM followed the termination of his contract with the Astana Qazaqstan Team due to possible connections with a doping ring.

Now, he has new goals: "The idea is to arrive ready for the Vuelta San Juan. In recent weeks it has been difficult to stay focused, with everything that has happened: the idea now is to train well and do good things in Argentina".

López' move was surprising but a must to continue his career as most World Tour and ProTeam teams back in Europe had their rosters closed, their finances depleted, and would likely not want to be associated to López following the news. Hence he's now racing for the Colombian team and is organizing his goals for the season.

“It's all a bit premature. We haven't defined it yet," he admits. "Everything has been completed recently and for now we only have the Villeta Clasica, the Vuelta San Juan and the national championships, but this week we will have a meeting later to define everything better“.

In Argentina soon he will have a chance to show his worth, despite racing at a much lower logistical level when comparing to a World Tour structure. However he is keen that the situation is stable. “I have no problems with racing, I have no problems with the UCI or with my biological passport, everything is fine. I already have an approved license to race in 2023," he continued.

"The idea is to spend this year chasing away the negative. Logically, I am anxiously awaiting a new opportunity to race the Grand Tours. I don't know what could happen, the idea is to proceed step by step, because things can change at any moment," López concluded.