Sportswear giant Nike, cycle maker Trek and Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch will cut ties with the former cyclist.

Armstrong, 41, who has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, has also stepped down as chairman of his cancer charity Livestrong.

The three companies pledged to continue to support Livestrong.

Nike said in a statement "due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Armstrong participated in doping... we have terminated his contract".

Anheuser-Busch will not renew its sponsorship deal with Armstrong when it finishes at the end of 2012, while Trek is ending its long-term relationship with the American with immediate effect.

Another of Armstrong's sponsors, sportswear firm Oakley, said: "As we have stated in the past, Oakley does not approve in any way the use of illegal substances for enhancing performance in sports.

"Our policy with our athletes is to support them until proven guilty by the highest governing body of sport or court of law. We are reviewing the extensive report from the Usada, as well as our relationship with Lance, and will await final decision-making by the International Cycling Union."

The decisions come a week after the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) released a report containing accusations of widespread doping by Armstrong and his teams.

It contains sworn statements from 26 witnesses, including 11 former team-mates.

Usada ordered 14 years of Armstrong's career results to be erased. The American has always denied doping, but gave up his fight against the charges in August.

Nike, which added that it was "misled" by the American for more than a decade, made a U-turn on a statement released last week when it said it would "continue to support Lance and the Lance Armstrong Foundation". Nike and Armstrong had been in partnership since 1996.

Armstrong also announced on Wednesday that he would be quitting his role as chairman of his cancer charity in order "to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career".

The Texan will remain on Livestrong's 15-member board, with vice-chairman Jeff Garvey, who was founding chairman in 1997, taking over Armstrong's role.

Armstrong added: "As my cancer treatment was drawing to an end, I created a foundation to serve people affected by cancer.

"It has been a great privilege to help it grow from a dream into an organisation that today has served 2.5 million people and helped spur a cultural shift in how the world views cancer survivors."

Livestrong spokesperson Katherine McLane told BBC Radio 5 live: "I think he reached this decision because he holds this organisation close to his heart and he thinks of this as akin to one of his children in terms of how deeply he cares for it.

"Surprisingly throughout the last few years, with these issues being in the news, we've seen an increase in the number of people that support (Livestrong) and contribute."

Former England footballer Geoff Thomas was inspired to set up his own foundation after reading Armstrong's autobiography days after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2003.

Armstrong led the tributes when Thomas was awarded the 2005 BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award in recognition of his charity work, but Thomas said the American "had done the right thing" by stepping down as chairman.

"I think it's damage limitation while everything is going as it is - there's a news story about Lance every day," the 48-year-old told BBC Sport.

"Lance stepping down will probably take the heat away from the charity itself and put the focus solely on him."

Thomas contacted Armstrong on Twitter , writing: "@lancearmstrong please for your sake, come clean. If not yours, for the millions you have inspired over the last 15+ years."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/19978608

Serves him right

How does this reduce the catastrophe dat tonto dikeh caused?

This Boss just became broke...Damn...this life self...his pride,repect and all are going down the drains now.

what is tonto dike's concern with Lance Armstrong doping charges? abeg leave her alone besides she is smiling to the bank which one u DEY

Certainly there is no shortcut to success. My Father word to me " if u want to be respected and successful in life, don't cut corners as there is no shortcut to success, only "3 d" will get u what u wanted which are: Decidication, Determination and Discipline".
May your soul rest in peace.

Its been long coming.To think Lance Armstrong was even used as an exemplary model of a man who sets out to achieve against all odds makes it even more puzzling.The anti-doping agency says its the most sophisticated doping cover up in the history of mankind.

I feel for him too,but he has recovered from cancer and made cool bucks,all from doping .

the USADA should also admit their failure in not suspecting a doping ring that went on under their noses. He has kukuma retired. His teamates who had active careers before the scandal thae i feel for

What evidence?! They have no objective biochemical evidence against him, the only 'evidence' they have is the accusations from his former team mates. He has subjected himself to numerous drug tests over the years and they have found nothing. This is all an attempt to call a dog a bad name in a bid to hang it high and dry.

I wouldn't be surprised if they accuse Usain Bolt sometime in the future. . .

Lance Armstrong knows he is guilty, and dat is why he has refused to challenge d case against him. He knows dat he would have to testify under oat if he challenges d USDA. With d exception of dis year tour de France, I cannot remember when last a former winner has not tested positive to drugs. He was still d best becos dey were all cheating.

How does this change all the monies he has enjoyed in the past? All the holidays? The guy will find his feet from next year, maybe get a job or write his memoirs and it will sell. More money to live on till he gets to 50 or more.

This is just a shameless witch-hunt by USADA. Someone that was subjected to numerous doping tests during his career with no incriminating outcome, now you have "unearthed new evidence" that 'implicates' him. Dude is the most tested athlete ever but nothing was found, but he is still somehow guilty of doping because his former team mates said so Huge shame. For all we know the supposed 'confessions' of his US Postal Service team mates could be as a result of pure jealousy and envy for the success he's enjoyed over the years cos he was the glory boy of the team. It is only natural that this might not have gone down too well with some of them, hence seeking to taint his glory. Shame on you USADA!

claremont: What evidence?! They have no objective biochemical evidence against him, the only 'evidence' they have is the accusations from his former team mates. He has subjected himself to numerous drug tests over the years and they have found nothing. This is all an attempt to call a dog a bad name in a bid to hang it high and dry.

I wouldn't be surprised if they accuse Usain Bolt sometime in the future. . .

The same type of evidence was what they had against marion jones till she confessed. It is funny how 26 former team mates of his have testified against him, it is only a matter of time lance will break under the pressue and he might go to jail sef. The spönsors will keep backing away and the money would dry up then he would have no other place to hide.
The sport itself is a joke because most of the recent past winners have all been found wanting maybe they should kuku allow doping in that sport, i guess there would be some that would use dope and still not win, smh

no matter what you do,lance armstrong is stil the 7 times tour de france champion!

I was always sceptical about the dude; the human body is only capable of so much and a "formerly cancer ravaged" one at that.During my banking training school days, the co-ordinator would everyday go on and on and on about what a superhuman he is and how we should all strive to go above and beyond to be achievers and superstars (when mobilising funds) .wish I could see the guy again and hear what he has to say.
The guy has fallen the hands of most motivational speakers BIG TIME...

modath: I was always sceptical about the dude; the human body is only capable of so much and a "formerly cancer ravaged" one at that.During my banking training school days, the co-ordinator would everyday go on and on and on about what a superhuman he is and how we should all strive to go above and beyond to be achievers and superstars (when mobilising funds) .wish I could see the guy again and hear what he has to say.
The guy has fallen the hands of most motivational speakers BIG TIME...

There are always two sides to a story mate. I certainly dont believe USADA's side.
Yhur argument about him once being a cancer patient is a joke at best.
Yhur only limitations in life are the ones yhu set yhurself.