Following a bad season, Orica-GreenEDGE has decided not to renew the contract of Allan Davis and the Australian is now looking for a new team. Being in a difficult position, he fears that he may be forced to end his career earlier than planned but hopes to be able to continue in the 2014 season.
One year ago, Allan Davis was a hot name in cycling when he finished 6th at the world championships in Limburg and finished on the podium on several Vuelta stages. Today the Australian finds himself in a position where he may be forced to end his career.
Davis has had a difficult second season with Orica-GreenEDGE with few racing days and no personal results. In the second half of the season, he has only raced Prueba Villafrance and Vuelta a Burgos and ended his season already on August 11. Apart from 4 top 10 finishes on stages in the Tour de Langkawi, he has had to personal results.
The drought has led Orica-GreenEDGE to the decision not to renew his contract and he now finds himself in the position that he may have to end his career earlier than planned. However, he still hopes to find a new team despite the diificult market that has been created by the demises of several major teams.
"I have nothing right now. I am looking at my options, because I want to keep riding. I have more years as a professional cyclist," Davis told BiciCiclismo.
The poor results were due to a lack of motivation but now Davis has once again rediscovered the passion for cycling.
"Now I'm better, my life has calmed down," he said. "I have regained the motivation, and I'm looking forward to what my future holds. I am convinced that I can return to my best level and obtain good results."
In addition to his good results in 2012, Davis has been a regular top finisher in some of the biggest races. He finished 3rd in the 2010 world championships, 2nd in the 2007 Milan-Sanremo and won the 2009 Tour Down Under. He laments the short memory in the cycling world.
"A year ago I was sixth in the world championships but verything is forgotten very quickly," he said. Just remember last year, not to mention the previous ten. But it has always been this way: it's like a boxer, he only remembers the last fight. It's been a bad year for me and it happens at a point where cycling goes through a difficult time."
Despite not being re-signed by Orica-GreenEDGE, he has no hard feelings.
"Racing here has been something special for me, being part of an Australian team at that level," he said. "I am very proud to have been here. It is a chapter that is now closed and we must look forward."
Davis admits that the thought of retirement has entered his mind but he insists that it is his last option.
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