1999 Trek USPS team Motorola
Yes, this is indeed one of Lance Armstrong bikes. This is the bike he did all his training on, before heading to Europe in 1999, and winning his first Tour de France.
Before the Tour, he and his wife and children went to Hawaii, and stayed at a property owned by the USPS team owner, Thom Weisel.
The property was managed by a kiwi, Mark Jackson. For a couple of months he looked after the family, taking Lance surfing, playing tennis with him, as well as looking after his wife and children. When Lance left, he gave Mark this bike, that he had been training on. When Lance came to New Zealand in 2016, Mark actually took the bike for a ride with Lance, and in amongst the 500 or so other people that turned up, Lance recognised him (and the bike).
When the bike was offered to the museum, I did not hesitate- the purpose of a museum is to tell stories- I do not choose only ‘good’ cycling stories, I tell every story that we are able. History does not only choose good stories!!
Key Details
Brand
Trek
Year
1999
Model
OCLV USPS
Frame Material
Carbon fibre
Components
Shimano Dura Ace team edition, Team saddle, Cinelli bar and stem