Tech News – May 2, 2009 Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. Armstrong's Trek gets Gila makeover By Greg Johnson Lance Armstrong returns from a test ride Photo ©: Enrico Quintana Lance Armnstrong debuted a new paint scheme on his time trial bike for the Tour of the Gila's time trial on Friday. The seven time Tour de France winner's Trek featured a white/silver base colour, breaking away from the scheme which he has used since returning to professional cycling at January's Tour Down Under. The time trial rig Armstrong rode to third place at the Tour of the Gila features white bars and fork, with the frame also starting out white then fading to silver along the top tube, seat post and chain/seat stays. The bike still carries Livestrong's yellow branding and the two numbers Armstrong said were significant to his global cancer awareness campaign - 1274 and 27.5; the number of days between his retirement and return and the number of people measured in millions impacted by the disease in that time. Silver on white is the theme for Armstrong's latest time trial rig Photo ©: Enrico Quintana Armstrong's one of a kind Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike was debuted at February's Tour of California. The original bike featured a similar paint scheme to that on his Trek Madone 6.9 Livestrong road bike, with yellow lettering on a black frame. The Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike made headlines around the world when it was stolen following California's opening time trial. The frame was later returned to police, without wheels, in time for the race's second time trial. The Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike Photo ©: Enrico Quintana Armstrong is contesting the Tour of The Gila under the guise of Mellow Johnny's - the name of the Texan's bike shop. He is riding with Astana team-mates Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer - who leads the race - after USA Cycling and the International Cycling Union (UCI) negotiated a deal which allowed them to take part. The trio are contesting the race in preparation of this month's Giro d'Italia. The UCI allowed them to enter Gila as individual riders on the provision they didn't sport Astana's team kit, after enforcing a rarely enforced rule that prevents ProTour teams from contesting lower level races. Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Enrico Quintana Lance Armstrong returns from a test ride ready for the Tour of the Gila's third stage. The Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike in its new colour scheme, The number 1274 appears on all of Lance Armstrong's bikes for this season. The frame on Armstrong's Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike starts out white then fades to silver along the top tube. Armstrong's bike has swapped from silver on black to silver on white. A close up the Zipp carbon fibre cranks on Armstrong's Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike. Lance Armstrong's Livestrong themed bike sits with Chris Horner- and Levi Leipheimer's Astana bikes. Armstrong's normal time trial rig stayed on the team car's racks as a spare bike. Lance Armstrong arrives for the 25 kilometre time trial. Mellow Johnny's Lance Armstrong warms up ahead of the time trial. Lance Armstrong rides to the start of Gila's time trial on his Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike. Armstrong arrives at the finish of the 25 kilometre run. Lance Armstrong signs autographs for fans just days after accidently posting his e-mail address on Twitter and getting flooded by fan - and hate - mail. Armstrong warms up on his Livestrong Trek Equinox TTX time trial bike. All dressed up and ready to roll: Lance Armstrong wishes team-mate Levi Leipheimer well ahead of the stage. Armstrong rolls out from his bus towards the start line.