Lance Armstrong’s fleet of seven custom painted Trek Madone’s were sold recently at Sotheby’s in New York City and generated $1.25 million to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s cancer research, awareness, and advocacy programs.
The auction represented the culmination of STAGES, a global art exhibition designed to raise both funds and awareness for cancer research, treatment, and prevention. Over 20 renowned artists devoted their expertise and created unique artwork to be showcased and ultimately auctioned off to benefit Armstrong’s cancer‐fighting foundation, LiveStrong.
As part of STAGES, Trek, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Nike and some of the most recognized and influential contemporary artists teamed up to create a unique collection of bicycles that “blur the lines separating art, culture, and technology.” Armstrong raced the eye‐catching Trek Madone, TTX and Speed Concept bikes throughout his 2009 return to professional cycling.
ʺEach of these artists gave their time to this cause,ʺ said Armstrong. ʺThrough the dollars that we raise, weʹll increase awareness, fund research and work to end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face.”
The star of the auction was the Damien Hirst‐designed “Butterfly” Trek Madone, which raised $500,000. Other bikes auctioned included Shepard Fairey’s elaborately decaled Trek Madone, ridden by Armstrong during this year’s Giro d’Italia, which generated $110,000, and Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara’s Trek Speed Concept, ridden by Armstrong during the 2009 Tour de France’s Annecy time trial stage, which garnered $200,000.
