A federal judge has dismissed Lance Armstrong's lawsuit against the US Anti-Doping Agency.

The cyclist filed the lawsuit earlier today and has been told that he can refile it within 20 days.

The 40-year-old sued USADA in an attempt to prevent it from moving forward with charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs throughout much of his career.

US District Judge Sam Sparks declared his decision just hours later.

According to The AP, Judge Sparks criticised Armstrong's attorneys for filing an 80-page complaint that he said more intended to whip up public opinion for his case than focus on the legal argument.

Armstrong is perhaps the most famous cyclist of all time, having won seven consecutive Tour de Frances between 1999 and 2005.