Astana Cazacustan suspended any activity within the team following reports in Spain that Miguel Angel Lopez is under investigation in connection with Dr. Marcos Maynar Marinho, who was arrested in May on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Astana Cazacustan reported by the Ciclo21.com website (opens in new tab) that Lopez was stopped and questioned by the Central Operations Unit (UCO), part of the Spanish Civil Guard's judicial police, when he arrived in Madrid from Colombia on Thursday, and that the investigation He claimed to know nothing about the matter.

"I was astonished by the news that was broadcast in the media yesterday evening.

"In this regard, the team has decided to suspend Miguel Ángel López from any activity within the team until all the circumstances of the case are clarified.

Maynar was arrested on May 11, the day after López abandoned the Giro d'Italia due to a thigh injury. At the time, the Astana Cazacustan team said they were surprised by his decision to climb the early stages of the fourth stage to Etna.

Lopez had not ridden since the Giro d'Italia, but was scheduled to return on Monday at the Prueba Villafranca-Classicas de Ordizia and lead Astana Cazacustan at the Vuelta a España. However, the suspension means that he may not be selected for the Spanish Grand Tour, which begins on the 19th.

Lopez returned to Astana Cazacustan after a controversial season with Movistar. He retired from the Vuelta a España in third place overall after an altercation on stage 20 about the team leader; he will be with Astana from 2015 to 2020. He finished third overall in both the Vuelta and the Giro d'Italia, and sixth in the 2020 Tour de France.

Lopez was reportedly involved in the Maynor investigation in May and is now being investigated for selling unlicensed drugs in Spain, according to Ciclo21.com.

Through his lawyer, who spoke to Spain's Efe news agency, Lopez denied any wrongdoing.

"He completely denies any connection or participation in any criminal activity related to the distribution of unauthorized medicines and other products mentioned in the news released yesterday," Efe quoted his lawyer as saying.

"In terms of sports ethics, he has always respected the rules regulating the sport, as his professional career has proven. While surprised by this turn of events, he is confident that all the extremes will be clarified."

"He has been a great supporter of the sport and has been a great supporter of the sport for many years.

Maynor's past with cycling and sports medicine has been long and controversial. He has been implicated in a series of investigations involving banned substances and claims to have worked as a team doctor for the Fassa Bortolo team and in other sports. He continues to promote his skills in training, nutrition, and supplementation through social media.

In 2004, the Spanish Civil Police investigated online sales of steroids and other drugs. He claimed that the products found were for medical research and escaped sanction.

Maynar was arrested but released on bail in May, with a court hearing scheduled for the fall. Lopez is also scheduled to appear in court at the same time.

"I hope I don't get convicted. There may have been a problem, but I didn't know about it," Maynar reportedly told Spanish media after his release.

"I have never been convicted. They always say they have accused me, but they never say I have been acquitted. Thank God, I have no criminal record. ...... My conscience is clear."[33