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In 1985, Ochowitz changed the men's team's status to professional.

The team went to Europe with an initial roster of members including Olympic gold medalists Alexi Grewal and Heiden, Olympic bronze medalists Phinney and Kiefel, Bradley, Schuler, Hayman, Stieda, and Chris Carmichael.

When the team received an invitation to the 1985 Giro d ' Italia, one of the Grand Tours of Europe, a young American cyclist based in Europe named Andy Hampsten was added to the team under a 30-day contract for the race.

After both Kiefel and Hampsten stunningly won stages during the Giro, becoming the first American stage winners ever at a Grand Tour, 7-Eleven was invited to the 1986 Tour de France and became one of the major cycling teams for the next decade, under the sponsorship of Southland through 1990 and then Motorola through 1996.

Ochowicz disbanded the team after the 1996 season, when Motorola decided to discontinue sponsorship.