Miguel Ángel López suing Astana-Qazaqstan for damages

This article originally appeared on Velo News

Miguel Angel Lopez -- the Colombian rider who was released from his contract with Astana-Qazaqstan late last year -- is taking his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Lopez posted a note overnight confirming that lawyers are preparing a case before CAS that is asking for damages of up to 1.7 million euros in disputed wages and injury to his public image.

Astana-Qazaqstan released Lopez from his contract in December for alleged links to an ongoing investigation in Spain of a doping ring involving a Spanish doctor and a former Astana soigneur, among others.

Lopez denies any wrongdoing or links to the alleged ring, and his lawyers are bringing the challenge to CAS.

The letter revealed that the UCI is blocking 1.7 million euros in funds from Astana-Qazaqstan’s bank guarantee in case Lopez wins.

There was no official comment from the UCI or Astana-Qazaqstan on Thursday.

Also read:

• Astana-Qazaqstan releases Lopez

• Authorities dismantle doping ring across Spain

• Lopez signs with Team Medellin

Lopez continues racing after signing with the Continental-level Team Medellin, where he’s won the Colombian national time trial championship, the Vuelta a San Juan, and the Vuelta a Tolima.

Lopez said he hopes to rejoin a top European team perhaps as soon as this season and return to race at the WorldTour level. Up next are starts at the PanAm Games and the Tour of Turkey.

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