MADONE

For his first race back in the pro peloton— Australia’s Tour Down Under—Trek built Lance Armstrong a special LIVESTRONG-themed Madone 6.9 to help him carry his cancer-fighting message around the world. In addition to the distinctive LIVESTRONG badging used throughout the frame, components, and Bontrager Aeolus wheels, Armstrong’s custom-painted Madone was themed around two important numbers: 1274, and 27.5. Prominently displayed on the seat tube, as well as painted on the insides of the fork and chainstays, 1274 signifies the number of days since Lance’s last race as a professional cyclist—the final stage of the 2005 Tour de France (July 24). In that time, nearly 27.5 million people worldwide have died from cancer, a number that’s called out on the rear seatstays of Armstrong’s bike. For the Tour of California, Trek outfitted Lance with a matching 1274 Equinox TTX 9.9 SSL, which was stolen after the Prologue but later recovered in time for the Stage 6 ITT. And for the Tour of the Gila, Lance rode a special white and silver 1274 Madone.