Allan Davis (Discovery Channel) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
By Gregor Brown
"I downloaded and signed it here at home, in Spain," said 26 year-old Allan Davis of Discovery Channel of the new UCI anti-doping agreement that was released on Tuesday. The UCI is requiring all ProTour riders to sign the document prior to the Tour de France.
"I do solemnly declare, to my team, my colleagues, the UCI, the cycling movement and the public that I am not involved in the Puerto affair nor in any other doping case and that I will not commit any infringement to the UCI anti-doping rules," reads part of the statement that Davis signed.
"At the same time, I declare to the Spanish Law, that my DNA is at its disposal, so that it can be compared with the blood samples seized in the Puerto affair." Davis was initially linked via Manolo Saiz in the investigation of Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes but, this last winter, was cleared and allowed to return to racing.
"There was no pressure by Discovery; it was a decision that I took on my own," he explained to Cyclingnews Friday afternoon. "I wanted to sign the document. I have not heard from anyone else in the team as to if they are signing it or not. I suspect that after the Tour de Suisse that there will be a lot more riders to sign." Along with Davis to sign are the Crédit Agricole riders, Mark Cavendish and Sandy Casar.
The Australian believes that the UCI is progressing in the fight against doping and that the power given to them is justified. "I think it is a step in the right direction." But are the riders giving too much power to the UCI? "I think it is right. The UCI controls cycling so it is right they have more power."
Davis is ready to focus on racing. He would like to race the Tour de France and may have a chance but if not he will focus on the end of season. "I am on the long list of riders for the Tour team. I haven't done the Tour de Suisse and that is too bad. I know that if I don't go to the Tour then I will mostly likely race the Vuelta. I will focus on a good second half of the season. I think that the Vuelta will be a good race to prepare for the Worlds."
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He commented that he would race in China at the Tour of Qinghai Lake if he is not racing the Tour de France.
