Armstrong has been wiped from the record books, with most of his achievements since August 1998 binned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he was accused of being at the heart of sports' biggest ever doping scandal. Armstrong so far still retains his bronze medal from the Sydney Olympic Games.

The UCI notified the Texan on December 6 that he had until December 27 to appeal his lifetime ban.

Armstrong, who has always denied doping, had already announced in August that he was dropping his legal challenge against the allegations made against him by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), who has been awaiting the result of any appeal, can now demand that Armstrong returns the time trial bronze medal he won at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.