A week after L'Equipe magazine reported on the relationship between Grand Tour Hope Miguel Angel Lopez and Bora Hansgrohe, the Colombian rider denied any move from Astana at a press conference Thursday night in Zoom.

Lopez has been training in his home country since the race was suspended after a promising start in March's Volta ao Algarve, where he finished third overall, and has confirmed he will debut in the Tour de France when racing resumes.

According to AS Colombia (opens in new tab), Lopez said he is not yet worried about a future contract or leaving Astana. 'I just want to get back on the calendar, race, and let whatever happens happen,' Lopez said. If there is a team interested in me, negotiations are going on behind the scenes. At the end of the day, I don't think it matters. If it did, it would have to happen, but not now."

He confirmed that Colombian professionals will be able to leave the country in mid-July despite the government's extended suspension of international flights; Cyclingnews reports that charter flights have been secured for various Colombian pro cyclists to travel to Europe. Lopez will return to racing at the Criterium du Dauphiné from August 12-16 before making his Tour de France debut.

He confessed, however, that he still feels uneasy about leaving home to race. 'I am afraid of coming into contact with other people. Right now I am not in contact with anyone and I am afraid to get involved with more people. It's a situation that needs to be taken seriously."

For the past month he has been able to train outside and has followed all of the workouts his team trainer has sent him. He said that living at high altitude has helped him.

"The high altitude has benefited those of us who train in Colombia. For example, I can train at 3500 or 3600 meters altitude. To arrive in good form, I have to run many distances, 10,000 or 12,000 kilometers."

There are many unknowns in major races. 'In a typical year, we analyze how many days our competitors have raced, how they are performing, how fit they are, or if they are lacking. There is no pre-competition; it is like a game waiting for the end.

"It will be a big surprise because analysis will be impossible. It will be very strange. Just get used to the idea, trust the preparation in his legs, and it will be worth it in the end."

Even before being quarantined, Lopez spent more time on the time trial bike, perfecting his position and getting more time on the time trial bike in training. His efforts were on display at the Volta ao Algarve. After winning the sharp and short Alto do Malhão, he was just one second off the race lead, but was 38 seconds behind Lemko Evenpoel in the individual time trial.

"I had a good start in the Algarve. I could have won the stage with a very good finish and I practiced my finish, even though that wasn't my strong point."

"I was able to win the stage.

Stage 20, the La Planche des Belles Fils time trial, will be an important stage in the Tour de France. He said, "This is a big debut for me, a new race, so whatever I do will be positive for me.