Lance Armstrong auctioned off seven of his Trek bikes at Sotheby's yesterday, one for each of his Tour de France wins, and all turned into works of art by famous artists selected by the cycling icon. The Trek website listed that $1,125,000 of the money raised went to Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Foundation, an organization the cancer survivor set up to inspire and empower people affected by the disease. The money will be used to help fund outreach, awareness, research, and advocacy.
"1.3 mil raised for @livestrong!!! So incredibly humbling," Armstrong tweeted after the auction ended.
Armstrong returned to the sport after a more than three-year retirement to raise awareness for the global cancer burden. While the Texan didn't manage to win the Tour de France for an eighth time, a strong ride in the Giro d'Italia followed up with a podium spot in Paris were enough to show that he meant business.
The Texan is a huge fan of art, and the bikes that were put up for auction were used as a build up to the Paris debut of an art exhibition called "STAGES". It took place in Paris’ famed Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, and was done in partnership with his long-time sponsor Nike.
“Through STAGES we are able to celebrate the strength of the human spirit while also continuing to shine a spotlight on a much needed cause which is the fight against this terrible disease,” said Armstrong.
The exhibit was inspired by Lance Armstrong’s athletic accomplishments and battle to overcome cancer. It is made up of more than twenty original works of art in different mediums that range from paintings, to sculpture, to the frames that were auctioned off Sunday. The rest of the artwork in the STAGES exhibit with be available for sale with the proceeds also benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Auction Results:
Hirst Bike: $500,000
KAWS: $160,000
Kenny Scharf TT: $45,000
Marc Newsom: $110,000
NARA: $200,000
Shep Fairey: $110,000
"Stolen Bike": $130,000