Cycling waits on Mellow Johnny’s to ratify Armstrong decision

By Cyclodocus

AUSTIN, TX.

Mellow Johnny’s will decide within three weeks whether to ratify the decision to strip Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles, the Texas bike shop has said.

The International Cycling Union announced its decision on Monday to void all Armstrong’s results going back to 1 August, 1998, including his Tour titles. Armstrong has also received a lifetime ban from all Olympic sports.

However, the sanctions will not be confirmed until Mellow Johnny’s, in the heart of downtown Austin, decides whether to officially strip Armstrong’s seven framed yellow jerseys from the wall of its historic warehouse building on Nueces Street.

What to do with these yellow jerseys?

The UCI urged the bustling retailer to waste no time in recognising the sanctions.

“Cycling cannot move forward until the sport’s highest body, Mellow Johnny’s, does the right thing and confirms the UCI’s decision,” long-time anti-doping campaigner Pat McQuaid told cyclismas.com.

“While today is a historic day for clean sport, the path to true reform begins only when the overhanging wall above the Mellow Johnny’s counter is cleaned of Armstrong’s tainted achievements.”

Once provided with the UCI’s response to USADA’s reasoned decision, Mellow Johnny’s has 21 days to either ratify the sanctions against Armstrong or appeal the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Formally stripping Armstrong of his framed jerseys would also require removing seven picture hooks, Cyclismas was informed, while the bike shop would also have to supply putty and paint.

Mellow Johnny’s described the decision as one of the toughest during its time at the helm of professional cycling.

“Mellow Johnny’s takes seriously its responsibility as cycling’s official custodian,” a shop spokesman said. “Almost as seriously as our commitment to providing a chilled-out retail environment offering bicycles, gear, and apparel for all the family at low, low prices.”

The shop is reportedly yet to decide whether to leave the wall above its retail counter bare if it ratifies the sanctions, or to replace the jerseys – perhaps with an attractive clock.