UCI ratifies USADA's verdict on Lance Armstrong

The decision has been made. Tonight the UCI handed down it's decision not to appeal the USADA's findings on Lance Armstrong to strip him of his seven tour de France titles and impose a life time ban from the sport.

You can read the developing story here.

To say we have had some bad days in the world of cycling recently would be an understatement, but this at least, will go down as one of the better ones. Which may sound funny coming from a former Lance supporter, but he has brought the sport into disrepute with his lies and deception.

So now what?

There has to be a clean out, a total clean out starting at the highest point. Although in his statement tonight UCI presendent Pat McQuaid states: "When I took over [as president] in 2005 I made the fight against doping my priority. I acknowledged cycling had culture of doping. Cycling has come a long way. I have no intention as resigning as president of the UCI." so that isn't looking likely.

Cycling as a sport has long been seen as a farce by many on lookers due to its shady underworld, and it is no doubt that these cynics have been proven right - to an extent. So if there was a long way to go twelve months ago, the sport has just regressed decades.

The fight will be hard and long. There are many points to prove from within cycling at the highest level, down to the management, cyclists and up and coming juniors. The way forward is with support for a clean and respected sport. For the pure enjoyment of this magical sport that so many of us love.

I'm fighting the fight. Will you?