Davis fights to save Worlds spot

Australian Allan Davis responded to the UCI's request to Cycling Australia to leave him off the team for the World Championships. Cycling Australia rejected the request, which came one day before the deadline for entries into the race, to remove Davis because of purported links between the rider and Operación Puerto. Despite Cycling Australia's support, Davis is not on the offical list of entrants published by the UCI.

Davis was part of the Liberty Seguros squad run by Manolo Saiz, but denied involvement in the doping affair. He was under investigation due to his links with Saiz, but the case was dropped by the Australian Antidoping Authority in December, 2006, citing insufficient evidence. In his statement, Davis said that he "never breached the UCI Anti- Doping Code, has not been charged with any breach of the code and that I am not the subject of any open investigation into a breach of the Anti-Doping Code".

Davis continued, saying, "I have cooperated fully with the authorities and have vigorously pursued all avenues possible in a bid to clear my name. On July 28, 2006, I released a written statement offering to provide a sample of my DNA and to comply with any other request that might be made by authorities in order to clear my name.

"In July 2006, and on several occasions since, including as recently as this week, myself and people acting on my behalf have been in contact with UCI officials seeking their guidance and advice as to what I need to do to clear my name," said Davis, who described repeated attempts to offer up his DNA in order to clear himself.

"On September 20, 2007 I sent by registered facsimile to the Court of Instruction in Madrid an offer to supply my DNA and to undergo any other testing they might require. I have sent a copy of this fax to the UCI, my professional team and Cycling Australia. I have been and continue to be willing to cooperate with the authorities in relation to this matter and am confused as to how I can be required to be acquitted when I have not been charged and there is no case against me which I can challenge."

Davis, who signed the UCI's antidoping agreement this summer declared, "I feel I have done everything I can to clear my name and feel I am being unjustly targetted and implore the UCI to tell me what else I must do to satisfy them I am innocent and I will do it."