Butterfly Trek Madone

The Butterfly Trek Madone became the world's most expensive bicycle when it was bought at auction for $500,000.[1] It was designed by Damien Hirst and utilized real butterfly wings that were placed onto the actual frame and rims of the bicycle.[1] The bike was ridden by Lance Armstrong in the 2009 Tour de France.[1][2]

About

The Butterfly Trek Madone currently holds the title of the most expensive bike sold in the world. The second most expensive bike ever sold was the Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept that was sold for $200,000.[3] Since the Butterfly Trek Madone utilized the beauty of natural wings taken from butterflies,[4] it was predicted that PETA was highly opposed to this bicycle art piece. There were also animal rights activists that called Hirst's bike to be "barbaric." The original release of the bike was in July 2009 before the actual auction.[5] The original concept of this bicycle was thought up in honor of Lance Armstrong's return to cycling.[6]

On September 7, 2013, affluent Katy, Texas socialite Christopher Bush acquired the first 2014 model to be seen in the greater Houston, Texas area. The bike currently resides in Katy, Texas, and is available for viewings by appointment only.

Auction

Butterfly Trek Madone was auctioned at Sotheby's for the Livestrong Foundation.[1] Armstrong's excitement was evident on Twitter when he tweeted during the auction that the bike had gone "for 500,000.00!!! Half a million bucks!!!"[7] The auction that the Butterfly Trek Madone was being auctioned off at was the "It's About the Bike" auction. This auction was held on 1 November 2009 in New York City. This auction was held to raise money and benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation's cancer research, awareness, and advocacy. At this auction, there was a total of $1.25 million that were raised. There were about 20 renowned artists that were asked to utilize their expertise and to create unique artwork to be showcased and ultimately auctioned off. It ended up being the Butterfly Trek Madone that was created by Damien Hirst that sold for a total $500,000.00.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "World’s most expensive bicycles for uber-rich riders". Bornrich. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 "TREK: €ŒIT€™S ABOUT THE BIKE€ AUCTION RAISES $1.25 MILLION FOR CANCER". Trek BicycleCorporation. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Five most expensive bike in the world". AwayStay. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  4. ↑ Fischer, Daivd. "Trek Madone Bike by Damien Hirst". HighSnobiety. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  5. ↑ Wynn, Nigel. "Armstrong's Damien Hirst bike fetches half million". Cycling Weekly. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Trek "Butterfly" Madone". Millionaire Toys Global. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Lance Armstrong auction: Damien Hirst 'Butterfly Bike' goes for $500,000". Road.cc. Retrieved 29 October 2012.


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