Astana Qazaqstan has cut ties Miguel Ángel López ©Getty Images

Miguel Ángel López's contract with Astana Qazaqstan has been terminated over what the cycling team termed new evidence of a "probable connection" with doping doctor Marcos Maynar.

López was arrested in July in connection with a drug-trafficking and money-laundering investigation centred on Maynar, but not not charged.

Astana had suspended López following his questioning by Spanish police, but lifted it.

The 28-year-old López is due to testify as a witness in a drug-trafficking trial and is not considered a suspect, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

However, following what Astana called "new elements showing Miguel Miguel Ángel López's probable connection" to Maynar, it said it "had no other solution than to end the contract between team and rider".

Miguel Ángel López won the queen stage of the Tour de France in 2020 ©Getty Images
Miguel Ángel López won the queen stage of the Tour de France in 2020 ©Getty Images

López had raced in Astana colours as recently as October.

The Colombian was third in the Vuelta a España and Giro d'Italia general classifications in 2018.

He won the queen stage of the Tour de France in 2020 and also had three Vuelta stage wins to his name.

López's biggest stage-race crown is the 2019 Volta a Catalunya, while he also appeared at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Maynar is a disgraced doctor who in 2009 was banned for a decade for prescribing banned substances and masking agents to riders while LA-MSS team doctor.