Aug 5, 2008

Ochowicz good friend of cycling's superstar

By John Reid / Daily News Staff Writer

Jim Ochowicz, coach of the USA men's cycling team for the Olympic Games in Beijing, maintains a close relationship with legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong. Ochowicz is the godfather to one of Armstrong's children - Luke - whom Armstrong had with his ex-wife, Kik.

"I see and talk to Lance all the time," Ochowicz said.

Armstrong's first experience in professional cycling was with Ochowicz' Team Motorola in 1992. Armstrong won his first stage of the Tour de France while a member of Motorola in '93, the first time he appeared in the event.

"That was unheard of," Ochowicz said. "He was a rookie. That set him up. He was in a learning curve. We were grooming him."

Armstrong spent four years with Motorola, but was forced to stop racing when he incurred cancer. Ochowicz stopped the team at that point in time. Armstrong returned two years later to start racing in 1998. In 1999, Armstrong won the first of seven straight Tour de France titles.

"Cycling has come up quite a bit because of Lance," Ochowicz said. "Americans weren't even in pro cycling 20 years ago. This was the 106th running of the Tour de France, so cycling has been around a long time. Americans had an interest, but they didn't know how to penetrate it. We helped kind of do that with 7-Eleven. Since then it has developed a large number of American athletes who race on pro teams in Europe."



Ochowicz has attended every Tour de France since '85, coaching 11 teams combined with 7-Eleven and Motorola.

"In '85, I was over there politicking, trying to get us into the Tour," Ochowicz said. "After that, I was helping Lance, not directly, but as a friend. I was someone he trusted to give him counsel once in awhile. I took care of some of the back office stuff that was going on with him and his family, celebrities and friends. I still do that."

Ochowicz also maintains a close relationship with Armstrong's ex-girlfriend, pop music star Sheryl Crow, who encountered breast cancer more than two years ago. Crow has residences in Los Angeles and Nashville, where she does her recording.

"Sheryl is a very good person, they both are," Ochowicz said. "I keep in close contact with her."

Armstrong, who conquered his battle with cancer, is busy with his Lance Armstrong Foundation. Ochowicz, whose father died from cancer, is an active member of LAF.

"Armstrong is an inspiration to a lot of people," Ochowicz said. "My mom has cancer now. It's nice to know that you can go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for help."



E-mail John Reid at jreid@dailynewsgroup.com.