Spanish rider Oier Lazkano López has been provisionally suspended by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) after irregularities were detected in his Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
In a statement released by cycling’s governing body, the UCI confirmed that the abnormalities were found in samples collected across the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons, triggering the provisional suspension in accordance with the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.
Lazkano, who currently rides for Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe, will remain suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. “The UCI will not comment further while the proceedings are ongoing,” the statement read.
The Athlete Biological Passport is an electronic profile used to monitor selected biological variables over time. Rather than testing directly for specific substances, it tracks an athlete’s blood values for indications of doping or manipulation. The UCI’s ABP programme is managed by the International Testing Agency (ITA) in collaboration with the Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) in Lausanne, and any potential violation must be confirmed by an independent expert panel before a case is brought forward.
From national champion to provisional suspension
The 25-year-old from Vitoria-Gasteiz turned professional with Caja Rural–Seguros RGA in 2020, winning a stage at the Volta a Portugal that year before moving to Movistar Team in 2022.
During his time with Movistar, Lazkano developed into one of Spain’s most promising riders. He claimed the national road race title in 2023, adding victories at the Boucles de la Mayenne and the Vuelta a Burgos, while also taking second at Dwars door Vlaanderen.
His breakthrough campaign earned him a move to Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe for 2025, where he opened the previous season with an emphatic solo win at the Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior and a podium at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne.
Lazkano was also known for his aggressive racing style, frequently earning combativity awards in major races including the Vuelta a España and the Tour de France.
Proceedings ongoing
The case will now be handled under the UCI’s results management process, overseen by the ITA. Lazkano has the right to request analysis, provide explanations, and appeal findings before any final sanction is issued.
Neither Lazkano nor Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe have yet issued a public statement.
If confirmed, the suspension would represent one of the most high-profile ABP cases in men’s professional cycling in recent years, and a major setback for a rider previously regarded as one of Spain’s brightest all-round talents.
