> In the extensive Spanish doping case Operación Ilex, university professor Marcos Maynar and exercise physiologist Ignacio Bartolomé have been sentenced to prison terms of two years and nine months, respectively. According to the renowned Spanish sports newspaper Marca, these are the largest criminal convictions in the history of doping in Spain.
> In particular, many riders who were under contract with Caja Rural-Seguros RGA in the years 2020–2023 were in contact with the two convicted individuals. Among them is Orluis Aular, the Venezuelan champion who is currently riding for Movistar in the Giro d’Italia. Other well-known names such as Julen Amezqueta, Garokoitz Bravo, and Josu Etxeberria also appear on the witness list. Furthermore, López's name appears frequently in Operácion Ilex. He was also a client of Maynar and Bartolome and received, among other things, DCA capsules and Actovegin Forte tablets.
> Maynar was sentenced to two years in prison, a fine of 2,700 euros, and a 21-month suspension from his work. Bartolomé must serve nine months in prison, received a fine of 2,100 euros, and is prohibited from performing his work for nine months. With this, Maynar now has the dubious honor of having received the harshest legal punishment ever in a Spanish doping case. The sentence is heavier than that of doping doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, who received a one-year prison sentence following Operácion Puerto in 2006.