The question on everyone's mind in Colombia: Will Miguel Ángel López be able to appeal the UCI sanction in time to race the World Championships?

Following the recent precautionary sanction imposed by the UCI on Miguel Angel Lopez for possibly violating anti-doping rules, the Colombian cyclist has responded strongly through a statement that has made clear his intention to clear his name and his desire to participate in the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

In the statement issued by 'Superman', he stressed his firm commitment to use all legal means at his disposal to prove his innocence and request the immediate lifting of the precautionary suspension imposed by the UCI. In this sense, the rider has expressed his bewilderment and considers the measure taken by the UCI disproportionate, arguing that the facts that led to the sanction have been public knowledge for more than 9 months without a clear and transparent justification by the international cycling organization.

Time is against 'Superman', who wants to participate in the 2023 World Championships, but for that he will have to follow the corresponding appeal procedures before the UCI and the International Testing Agency (ITA). While the Colombian is determined to exhaust all possible instances to reverse the sanction, it is important to note that this process may take considerable time, and the date of the event is getting closer (August 6, the road race).

The outlook is complicated for his interests and, despite the support of his team, Team Medellin-EPM, and a large number of Colombian cycling fans who have shown in social networks to be on his side, it looks bad for him at this time. We are just over a week away from the start of the event and these types of appeals tend to last longer (assuming that he would be granted in the first appeal, something that seems complicated considering the evidence that the UCI has from the Spanish Civil Guard).