Miguel Angel Lopez suspended by Astana-Qazaqstan team over alleged drug trafficking

To optimise for archiving, the original image and related documents associated with this article have been removed.

Colombian rider Miguel Angel Lopez has been suspended by his Astana-Qazaqstan team after media reports in Spain alleged that he is involved in a drug trafficking ring.

Spanish website Circlo21 initially reported that police were investigating Dr Marcos Maynar, a professor at the University of Extremadura, who is under investigation for alleged drug trafficking and money laundering. Lopez was a witness in this case but was later intercepted by police at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.

The Astana team tweeted “The news that was spread in the media yesterday evening caught us by surprise, and at the moment we do not have any details. In this regard, the team decided to suspend Miguel Angel Lopez from any activity within the team until all the circumstances of the case are clarified.”

Lopez is a previous Tour De France stage winner and previously an overall winner of the Tour de Suisse and the Volta a Catalunya but has not ridden since he pulled out of the Giro d'Italia in May.

You may also like

View All

PGA of America CEO apologies to McIlroy family due to Ryder Cup abuse

The Professional Golfers’ Association of America CEO Derek Sprague will apologise to the family of professional Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy for the abuse they faced during the Ryder Cup

Read More

Paris 2024 Olympic Games had modest economic impact

According to France’s Court of Auditors, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games only produced a modest economic impact

Read More

WADA 2026 Prohibited List

The World Anti-Doping Agency has published its 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods which it agreed in a meeting on 11 September 2025 and will bring into effect on 1 January 2026

Read More