Miguel Ángel López defends himself and attacks the UCI: "There is no evidence of doping, I will use all legal means to clear my name"

Miguel Angel Lopez was suspended yesterday by the UCI for violating anti-doping rules. The Colombian Team Medellin rider wanted to defend himself against these accusations through a press release in which he wants to make it clear that "there is no evidence of alleged doping" and that he will use "all means at his disposal to clear his name".

This is the full press release from Miguel Ángel López:

"Yesterday I was notified by the UCI of the decision to open an anti-doping rule violation proceeding in relation to my alleged use of menotropin in the 2022 Giro d'Italia, allegedly on the basis of information sent to me from the Operation "ILEX" investigation".

I am unaware, at this time, of the tests and evidence taken into consideration by the UCI to adopt this decision, but I would like to state for the record that there is no objective evidence of the alleged doping, that all the results of my analyses and my biological passport are negative, and that the undersigned never received, used or even requested any prohibited substance, neither in the Giro d'Italia nor ever before in my career, as was reported to the ICI at the time, and that the undersigned never received, used or even requested any prohibited substance, neither in the Giro d'Italia, nor ever during my sporting career, as, moreover, was reported at the time to the ITA, with whom this cyclist collaborated as requested.

I want to state for the record that I will use all the legal means at my disposal to clear my name, and that I will request, immediately, that the agreed precautionary suspension be lifted, since I understand it to be completely disproportionate, taking into account, in addition, that the facts for which I have been suspended as a precautionary measure are public facts, known for more than 9 months, without having been explained or reasoned at any time the need, origin and urgency of such measure, as well as having been provided or explained the reasons that justify such decision by UCI, 10 days before the celebration of the World Cycling Championships in Glasgow, precautionary suspension that not only harms my honor and damages the presumption of innocence of this cyclist, but damages and harms my entire team, TEAM MEDELLIN, the national cycling team of Colombia, and, ultimately, the good name of the entire international cycling community, by casting doubt on my career, without any evidence or adverse analytical results, and without having intervened, detected or found in my possession any substance of any kind.I am deeply grateful for the affection of the fans and for the support of my family.