Astana Fires Miguel Ángel López
The Astana Qazaqstan Team have terminated the contract of Miguel Ángel López, effective immediately. The firing of the 28-year old rider came after “new evidence” was uncovered of his alleged connection to Dr. Marcos Maynar, a university professor and doctor based in Cáceres, Spain.
Maynar is accused of drug trafficking and money laundering as part of an illegal doping ring. Maynar was arrested by Spanish police in May in connection to Operacion Ilex, the police investigation into the doping ring that began in January 2021.
“Astana Qazaqstan Team discovered new elements showing Miguel Ángel López’ probable connection with Dr. Marcos Maynar,” the team said in a statement, as reported by CyclingTips. “Accordingly, the team had no other solution than to end the contract between team and rider, based on breaches of said contract and internal team rules, with immediate effect.”
Lopez was previously suspended by Astana Qazaqstan Team this past July for his alleged ties to Maynor, but was then reinstated due to a “lack of evidence.” The rider rejoined the team in August to race in the 2022 Vuelta a España, where he finished fourth in the general classification.
A statement released by the rider and his attorneys states, “The rider hereby states that he sees no reason for the choice of Astana Qazaqstan, and that there are no new facts that justify such a decision. There are no new facts that were not yet known or reported before November 2022.”
“The rider rejects all allegations that could damage his name and honor as a cycling professional,” the statement continues. “He points out that he has never tested positive for drugs for doping, and that he has never been investigated by any authority.
“Mr. Miguel Angel Lopez hereby informs that he will defend himself before the corresponding courts, in a case that he considers a clear case of wrongful termination of contract without due cause.”
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