Miguel Angel Lopez blasted his old team Astana Kazakhstan, which he left in the winter, ahead of Wednesday's presentation of the new 2023 Medellín-EPM.

Lopez was fired by the Kazakhstan team because of his relationship with Spanish doctor Marcos Maynar, who was arrested in May on charges of crimes against public health, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

He eventually signed with the Colombian continental team Medellín-EPM in early January, as most world tour teams were already full.

In a radio interview with the Colombian radio program Blog Deportivo (open in new tab), Lopez said Astana "turned his back" on him, adding that no one from the team has spoken to him since.

"It's a complicated and delicate issue that has caused a lot of damage," he said. They turned their backs on me, kicked me out, and since that day I have not spoken to anyone from the team. It's as if I died because of them."

"It was strange because my relationship with the team goes back 10 years. There wasn't even a 'hello, how are you?' or 'how are you doing?'"

Lopez lamented the situation of trying to find a team with a new season fast approaching. However, he assured that his anti-doping record was not an issue and said he was looking forward to competing in his home country this year.

"They told me to leave when a lot of teams were already closed," he said. 'My anti-doping biological passport test was fine and that's what matters. Today I am allowed to play for any team."

"My main goal now is to enjoy being in Colombia and be with my family and fans. I want to enjoy every moment to the fullest. The rhythm of the race is different here and there are many factors, but we will be fine."

The Medellín-EPM team presentation followed, with the team changing from a plain black kit to bright multi-colored fade numbers.

He will make his full team debut next week at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina, along with 46-year-old teammate Oscar Sevilla.

"I'm super motivated and eager," he said. I want to once again fight and have fun with great teammates, race in my own country, share with people, be calm, and enjoy cycling more."

"I didn't train very well at the end of 2022. But I have a great team, great teammates and very nice people. I don't feel any pressure, enjoy and live every moment, that's the most important thing.

Lopez has already won his first race since joining his new team, albeit in a local 72km race, the Clasica de Ciudad de Villeta. He also recently set a new Strava record (open in new tab) in the Alto de las Palmas, beating the time set by Sergio Iguita, Egan Bernal, and Rigoberto Urán, among others, to show that he is on a roll.

In San Juan, a battle awaits Bernal, Iguita, and world champions Remco Evenepoel and Dani Martinez.

"In Villeta there weren't as many participants. So I could have gone higher. But Colombia is at a high level. I can't say I will always win, but I always want to be at 100%."