MADRID (AP) — Team Astana on Monday reinstated Colombian rider Miguel Ángel López following an investigation into drug trafficking in Spain.
López had been temporarily suspended by the Kazakhstani team after news he was being questioned in an investigation into the alleged activities of a Spanish doctor suspected drug trafficking.
“Based on the information received, Astana Qazaqstan Team was advised that in the absence of any finding by either the Spanish authorities or the UCI, it was not in a position to continue the suspension or further deprive the rider of his contractual rights,” the team said in a statement. “Miguel Angel Lopez is thus provisionally reintegrated as part of the Astana Qazaqstan Team and will return to the previously agreed racing plan.”
The 28-year-old López is set to race in the Burgos Vuelta and Spanish Vuelta starting this month.
Astana said “the team will monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to take resolute measures depending on the development of the situation.”
López won a stage of the 2020 Tour de France, in addition to three stage wins at the Spanish Vuelta. He finished the 2018 Giro d’Italia in third place and won the 2019 Catalonia Volta and the 2016 Tour de Suisse.
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