Davis to appeal to CAS, McQuaid doubts start is possible

By Shane Stokes in Stuttgart

As is the case with Alejandro Valverde, Australian rider Allan Davis finds himself in the situation where his national federation has been told by the UCI that he is not welcome to ride the world championships due to alleged implication in Operación Puerto.

Valverde’s case will be held by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday, and the decision will determine if the Spaniard can line out in the Elite men’s road race on Sunday.

Davis maintains his innocence and has decided to go the same route. Cycling Australia confirmed on Wednesday morning that he will lodge an application early on Thursday for an urgent hearing. He hopes that this will take place on Friday with a decision later on that day.

“We are pleased that the matter is going to arbitration and we are hopeful that there will be a closure on this case that has been unreasonably prolonged,” said Cycling Australia communications director Gennie Sheer. “Allan is today doing final training for Sunday and he is optimistic that he will be lining up there.”

Meanwhile UCI President Pat McQuaid said that he doubts that the late appeal will resolve the issue.

“I can’t see how he will do that [successfully appeal], because first of all he can't go to CAS alone, he has to go through the UCI. And we have heard nothing from him so far.

“He won't do it in 24 hours, either, because last week the process [with Alejandro Valverde] was that we agreed with the Spanish to go to CAS and then the Spanish had two days in which to file their papers with us. We then had two days to prepare our papers and file all the papers to CAS. Then, two days later, CAS rules on it. So I can't see it coming before the weekend.”

Davis has been cleared by Cycling Australia, who have said there is no basis for an investigation. McQuaid differs on that. “We feel that there was enough evidence to justify it. The case was never officially closed by the UCI.”