Lotto-Dstny have confirmed that sports director Allan Davis will no longer join the team at the upcoming Tour de France following allegations that he sent unwanted direct messages to a woman on Twitter.
Davis will not join the Lotto-Dstny staff at the event, in what the team said was by mutual agreement, three days before the Tour de France begins on July 1 in Bilbao. Lotto-Dstny have called the incident a 'personal case' that they felt did not involve the team.
Cyclingnews has reached out to Davis regarding the allegations. He had not responded before the publishing of this story, but he later released a statement apologising for sending unsolicited messages to the Twitter user.
Lotto-Dstny said in its initial statement to press members on Wednesday, June 28 ahead of the Tour de France, "The team will not react on a private matter that came out Tuesday concerning sports director Allan Davis. It's a personal affair, and this has nothing to do with Lotto Dstny. Allan will not be in the Tour de France in order not to mix personal matters with team matters."
Davis has been accused of sending unwanted direct messages to a woman on her Twitter account. Screenshots of the direct messages were published on the woman's Twitter channel on Tuesday, June 27.
Cyclingnews reached out to the woman who has alleged Davis sent her unwanted direct messages. She wishes to remain anonymous but confirmed that the unwanted messages were sent by direct messages to her Twitter account in May and June.
The woman described herself as a cyclist, a writer and a former photographer. She stated that she initially thought Davis had contacted her through a direct message after her tweets about looking for work. She said that he later asked for her CV for what she thought might have led to a potential job within the team or the sport.
"I thought maybe I would give him the benefit of the doubt. Then he sends me photos. I kept trying to redirect the conversation to that I was looking for a job and a bit about myself. I ended the conversation by saying I needed to go out for a ride to end the conversation. He messaged again, and that is the one that is on Twitter. I was disappointed. I felt cheap," she said.
The woman stated that she came forward on social media to show other women in the sport that what she felt was inappropriate behaviour should not be dismissed and that women should feel empowered to speak about their experiences.
"I don't want people to feel scared to speak out. That is one of the things that I see when people have messaged me. They are really scared. I don't want other women to feel like that. I would like this to be a takeaway for women not to feel intimidated. That was why I was a bit more open," she said.
"To comment, 'Well, who are you,' ... I'm a cyclist, a writer, a human, it shouldn't matter. I'm not a Tour de France winner; you're right. What's your point?" she said regarding some of the comments directed toward her.
"It doesn't matter who I am; I'm a human, a woman, and it always comes back to the same thing. I'm not the only one."
She also alleged that Davis had since sent her a direct message in which he requested that she "delete potential tweets involving his image or in writing" and that he has notified authorities to report anyone who has publicly damaged his image.
The woman has alleged that she was contacted by a Lotto-Dstny press officer who asked her not to publish her allegations against Davis publicly on Twitter. Cyclingnews reached out to Lotto-Dstny and to the team’s Chief Business Officer, Yana Seel, regarding the claims. “We will not comment [on] it. It’s a private case of Allan and has nothing to do with the team,” Seel replied.
Lotto-Dstny published a statement on their team website on Wednesday outlining their reason why Davis will not be joining the team at the Tour de France and that they will make no further comments.
"Lotto Dstny has taken notice of the allegations of transgressive behaviour, expressed towards a sports director of the team and published by a person on Twitter," Lotto-Dstny wrote in a published statement.
"'Please note that this is a personal case', emphasizes the team, 'and this has nothing to do with the team.'" the statement read. "In order to keep the peace, it has been decided, by mutual agreement, to keep the sports director out of the Tour de France."
"The team will not make additional comments on this case and asks to respect the privacy of those involved."
Davis apologises for 'transgressions'
Allan Davis has since released a statement to Cyclingnews on Sunday, July 9, apologising for his "behaviour", "words" and "actions" on social media toward the Twitter user.
"I deeply regret the way I conducted myself and the impact it had on the person involved. I acknowledge that our multiple direct-messaging interactions in May & June of 2023 touched upon both personal and professional matters," Davis wrote in his statement.
"We discussed topics related to relationships, family and work, and I understand that at times my words and actions were inappropriate. I failed to consider the consequences of my behaviour, and for that, I am truly sorry."
Davis stated that he has reached out to Twitter users in the past and has sent direct messages to male and female followers in order to engage his social media follower base.
"There have been reports that I have engaged with other Twitter users in an “unsolicited” manner. This is true, as over the past 15 years I have often sent direct messages to new male and female followers to thank them for following my Twitter account. This is the nature of social media, and a common practice of Influencers and Content Creators on different social media platforms with the purpose of engaging with ones’ followership base," Davis wrote in his statement.
"I have also sent unsolicited messages to followers who I think might be prospective clients for my coaching activities – another common practice by users of platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to promote their products or services.
"By being active on Twitter and posting regular content I had built a followership base of over 27,000 followers from around the world. I frequently engaged in direct messages with male and female followers.
"These engagements via direct message spanned over a period of more than fifteen years, including my period as a professional athlete and in a self-employed capacity. Some of these interactions involved the discussion of personal topics, and in a number of cases the establishment of friendships and coaching relationships."
Cyclingnews asked Lotto-Dstny's Seel if the team would be conducting a further investigation into the allegations lodged against Davis, however, she replied that the team will provide no further comment. Lotto-Dstny have not commented publicly since their initial statement calling it a "personal case".
"I have reflected on my behaviour and have taken steps to educate myself about appropriate online conduct. I understand the importance of fostering a respectful and inclusive environment, both online and offline," Davis ended his statement.
"Again, I sincerely apologize for my transgressions and any distress or discomfort this may have caused the persons involved."
