The Tour caravan was shocked by the news of Jean Stablinski's passing in the middle of the 2007 race. The son of Polish immigrants, himself a former miner, Stablinski left his mark on the Tour Hall of fame by winning five stages over a ten-year period between 1957 and 1967. World champion in 1962, winner of the Vuelta in 1958, “Stab” had special motivation when the national title was at stake. He wore the French champion tricolore jersey four times between 1960 and 1964. Unfortunately, he never held the Tour yellow jersey. His career over, he became a remarkable cobble scout, spotting several sectors which became part of Paris-Roubaix. The most famous of his finds was the Arenberg trench, at the beginning of which now stands a monument in his honour.
vcy
July 9
th
2014
- 00:00
Jean Stablinski, remarkable cobble scout
