The Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez was stopped by the International Cycling Union (UCI) due to an anti-doping investigation. Lopez is being investigated “for use and possession of a prohibited substance in the weeks preceding the 2022 Giro d’Italia”, he informed the UCI regarding the decision to “provisionally suspend the rider, pending the final decision”.
The Colombian had withdrawn during the fourth stage of last year’s pink race, complaining of hip problems. Third in the Giro d’Italia and in the Vuelta 2018, the 29-year-old climber should have taken part in the cycling world championships in Glasgow, from 3 to 13 August, but the UCI decided otherwise, stating that the decision was taken after evidence obtained by the police in Spain and the Spanish National Anti-Doping Organization.
Lopez was fired from the Astana team last December for alleged links with a Spanish doctor who is suspected of administering doping. The Colombian, who denies any connection to doping, was signed by third division Team Medellin-EPM in early 2023, winning the Tour de San Juan in Argentina and the Tour de Colombia.