El País: more details on Lazkano case after UCI suspension; coach with tainted past also involved

The doping case around Oier Lazkano exploded on Thursday. After more than half a year off the radar, the Spaniard was suddenly suspended by the UCI for irregularities in his biological passport, reportedly dating to his time at Movistar. Movistar has now issued a response, while Spanish media are abuzz with rumours.

Lazkano moved to Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe this season, but his form disappointed. Six months after his last race (Paris–Roubaix), he was suspended by the UCI for anti-doping violations. His team terminated his contract immediately, stressing the violations predated his arrival at the German outfit.

That would imply the issues arose at Movistar, where he delivered standout performances and suddenly climbed exceptionally well. The Spanish team felt compelled to respond. “First of all, it was only on Thursday afternoon, 30 October 2025, that we became aware of the situation,” their statement read.

“During the three seasons of our contractual relationship with Mr. Lazkano (of the five referenced by the UCI investigation), all controls by various national and international organisations, as well as our own internal tests, returned negative results. It was therefore impossible for us to know—or even suspect—that there was any abnormality such as that indicated by the UCI.”

Strikingly, the message Movistar says it received from the UCI differs from the UCI’s public wording. The international federation stated the passport violations occurred between 2022 and 2024, whereas Movistar says some samples dated 7 January 2020—when Lazkano was still with Caja Rural–Seguros RGA.

In 2023, that ProTeam cropped up in a Guardia Civil report linking the squad to Dr Marcos Maynar, physician to (among others) the suspended Miguel Ángel López. After a complaint from Caja Rural, the matter faded from view; by then, Lazkano was already at Movistar.

Movistar, led by Eusebio Unzué, asserts its innocence and says it will act decisively in response to Lazkano’s case. “Abraca Sports reiterates, with absolute determination, its unwavering commitment to clean and transparent sport. We will redouble all efforts, controls and measures taken so far,” the team stated.

In Spain, the case is dominating discussion. Reporters have been digging, and El País claims to have additional details. According to the newspaper, anti-doping authorities visited Lazkano in Andorra in April, seizing his phone, laptop and personal data. In total, four “events” were reportedly flagged in his biological passport.

During the same period, Lazkano worked with Leonardo Piepoli, a former rider who doped in the past. El País further draws a line towards EPO use, citing three independent experts.

To be continued...