Julien Stevens

Julien Stevens ( born February 25, 1943 in Mechelen) is a former Belgian cyclist.

Julien Stevens was a professional racing car driver 1963 until 1977. He distinguished himself during this period as a successful all-rounder, as well as precious water carrier for his Belgian colleague Eddy Merckx, Rik Van Looy and Rik Van Steenbergen. In all, he won five Belgian champion titles in different cycling disciplines and around 70 victories.

1962 Stevens was first Belgian champion - in the road race in the amateurs - the year after he won the national military title. He was two-time Belgian champion in the road race in the professionals and in the individual pursuit on the track in 1968. In the same year he won the Grand Prix Pino Cerami. In 1973 he won also two Belgian champions title, in a two - team driving as well as in the Omnium, both times together with Patrick Sercu.

1969 Stevens lost in Zolder at the UCI Road World Championships by a hair against Dutchman Harm Ottenbros and became vice - world champion. Four times he competed in the Tour de France and wore a total of four days, the yellow jersey.

Julien Stevens started at 72 six-day races, of which he won five: 1971 in Milan with Eddy Merckx, 1972 in Ghent ( with Patrick Sercu ) and in Montreal ( with Norbert SEEUWS ), in Milan in 1973 with Sercu and 1974 in Ghent ( with Graeme Gilmore ).

After the end of his active cycling career Stevens was a mechanic and worked among others at Team Telekom.