Waterloo, WI – Watch out cancer, you’re really in for it this time. Through the sale of just seven custom painted, one-of-a-kind Trek bicycles, the “It’s About the Bike” auction, held November 1st at Sotheby’s in New York City, generated an unprecedented $1.25 million to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s cancer research, awareness, and advocacy programs.

Sunday’s auction represents the zenith 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 from across the globe teamed up to create a unique collection of bicycles that blur the lines separating art, culture, and technology. Armstrong then raced the eye-catchingly unique Trek Madone, TTX and Speed Concept bikes throughout his 2009 return to professional cycling, including stages of the Tour de France.

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Ivan Basso’s Cannondale Super Six is currently being auctioned by Cannondale Japan, with proceeds to be donated to the Seal Emiko Fund.

The bike, custom-painted by Artech Design near Bologna, Italy, features a Japanese warrior theme and Japanese writing that denotes the occasion of Basso’s return to pro cycling in the 2008 Japan Cup. It was raced by Basso to a third-place finish in the race and is truly one of a kind.

Emiko Seal is a committee member of JACC, the Japan Adventure Cyclist Club. In 1989, she started a world tour by bicycle with her husband Steve. Together, they cycled 77 countries and over 11,000 kilometers. Just before completing the goal in 2001, she was diagnosed with cancer and was given
just six months to live. With her usual determination, she fought the cancer into remission and recommenced the tour in 2004. Last year, the cancer returned and Emiko now fights for her life. She continues her lectures “Dream, hope and courage” and has written a book “Beyond Cancer, Aim
Towards the Horizon”.

“Cancer has touched my own family, too,” says Ivan Basso. “It’s something that has united many of us in cycling, and I’m proud that this bicycle is going to an excellent cause.”

The auction can be found from http://www.cyclestyle.net/ and lasts until March 20.