XFONDO Whistler, June 15 2024
United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Miguel Ángel López robbed of over $800,000 pesos at gunpoint in Colombia

Miguel Ángel López robbed of over $800,000 pesos at gunpoint in Colombia

The former Astana Qazaqstan Team and Movistar Team rider who currently  rides for Team Medellin - EPM, was held against his will last Thursday for several hours according to reports

Miguel Ángel López robbed of over $800,000 pesos at gunpoint in Colombia

A sinister plot unfolded in the serene landscapes of Colombia that has shocked the world. The incident has sent chills down the spine of the cycling community. 

Miguel Ángel López has been a well-celebrated cyclist, faced an alarming detour not on a mountainous cycling route but on his very doorstep.

Last Thursday evening, as the sun sank beneath the horizon, López’s life took an unanticipated turn. He was approaching his rural farm in Pesca. Little did López know that he would be thrust into a nerve-wrenching situation. He spent a few more hours at his family home than planned. While returning, masked assailants descended upon him at his doorstep. He was kidnapped and they robbed him of $800,000 pesos ($200 USD).

The 29-year-old cyclist reported to the local police station to file a report against the kidnappers. López reported the loss of his beloved Ford truck and a prized mobile phone too.

Colonel María Margarita Mantilla stated, “They detained him and stole his Ford truck, a cell phone and 800,000 pesos”. He further added, “Around 10:30 at night, López approached the Sogamoso police station and filed a complaint.”

López got suspended a few months back by the sport’s governing body, the UCI, due to a potential anti-doping rule violation. This led to an even more unpredictable turn in López’s professional life in July this year.

Before his career was put on hold, he rode for Astana for five years, starting from 2015 to 2020. In 2020, he also seized the stage for the Tour de France. 

Lopez left team Astana in December 2022 when he saw his contract terminated.

Lopez then spent a year at Movistar by signing a one-year contract for the 2021 season. However, he returned to Astana a year later.

During his cycling career, he won a stage at the Tour de France in 2020 and the Young rider classification at the Giro d'Italia in 2018 and 2019.