7-Eleven Cycling Team
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The 7-Eleven Cycling Team, founded in 1981 under Jim Ochowicz and spanning 10 years. While not actually the first professional cycling in the U.S. the 7-Eleven team was responsible to a large extent for an increase in bike racing interest in the U.S. In its lifespan, the team claimed a win in the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy), a handful of World Championship medals, and US Championship titles, as well as numerous Tour de France stage wins. It was the second U.S. cycling team to ride in the Giro d'Italia (1985) (Gianni Motta team was the first in 1984) and the Tour de France (1986). The 7-Eleven Cycling Team was succeeded in 1991 by the Motorola Cycling Team, which existed until 1996.
Of the seven men on the inaugural 7-Eleven-Schwinn team racing in 1981, Eric Heiden was the best known. The other Americans were Jeff Bradley, Greg Demgen, Bradley Davies, Tom Schuler, Danny Van Haute and Roger Young. They were joined by Canadian pro Ron Hayman.
Schwinn dropped out as the team's co-sponsor for the 1982 season, but 7-Eleven stepped up its sponsorship resulting in the adding of Davis Phinney, Ron Kiefel, and Canadian Alex Stieda to the roster.
[edit] Notable 7-Eleven and Motorola Members
- Russell Scott
- Raúl Alcalá
- Phil Anderson
- Frankie Andreu
- Lance Armstrong
- Steve Bauer
- Chris Carmichael
- Thomas Craven
- Alexi Grewal
- Andy Hampsten
- Eric Heiden
- George Hincapie
- Dag-Otto Lauritzen
- Davis Phinney
- Jeff Pierce
- Bob Roll
- Doug Shapiro
- Alex Stieda
- John Tomac
- Sean Yates
- Brian Walton
[edit] Trivia
- The 7-Eleven team were featured in the 1984 movie American Flyers, starring Kevin Costner.
- Team 7-Eleven is the only cycling team inducted into the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame.
- In 1984 the 7-Eleven company sponsored the cycling track at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, USA.
