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Hitting the big time: The Allan Davis Journal 2003
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Welcome to the Allan Davis Journal for 2003. The ex-Mapei espoir has finally hit the big time with a two year contract on Spain's number one team, ONCE-Eroski. Six years with the Australian Institute of Sport has groomed young Allan from a national track champion to a cunning road rider and a potential Classics superstar. Follow Allan as he embarks on the ride of his life.
Stevo's still a fit bastard
Oiartzun, Spain, June 8, 2003
Gday everyone,
All is well here in the Basque country. Training has been going to plan and I'm just about set to to go in my next race on July 25th, the Villafranca de Ordizia [Clasica de Ordizia].
Having a good group to train with is very important. Some days I train with Paxti [Patxi Villa] and [Juan Manuel] Gararte, two riders from Lampre. Both guys are very funny blokes and are great to train with; they have a bit more experience than me, so it's helpful riding for hours on end with those fellas!
When I have a hard day training, I have started going for a ride with Stevo (Neil Stephens) the next day; his training programme consists of one day on six days off! (and he is still a tough bastard!) One day we had done about five hours (with four of those up and down climbs) and then he says: "Let's have a sprint to the other end of the tunnel mate".
There was still four hundred metres to the line, but he took off! I thought I would give him a few bikes lengths so far out! As we got closer to the line it was time to try and go around (easier said then done). I gave it everything to try and do that but he was still pulling away! Unlucky for Stevo, he had too sit back in the saddle the last 70 meters or so because of the length of his gallop and the gap soon closed.
Stevo has also been helping me with my training the last month or so which as been really good.
All the best and until next time, see ya later,
Alby.
