Jean Stablinski was a professional cyclist, with a remarkable life story. It seemed appropriate to turn it into a ballad!
Born 1932, son of a miner who
Died when the Nazis came – Jean kept the family name
Went to work down the mine When he was only nine
By fourteen he was strong Pushing the trucks along
Under the cobblestones All that he’d ever known
There in the Hell of the North
From humble beginnings he wrote his own song
This is the ballad of Jean, Jean Stablinski
Jean played accordion, entered a contest and
Won his first racing bike – this moment changed his life
He began entering races and he would win
Known for his smart attacks, he’d take prize money back
Over the cobblestones…
He turned professional, rode with Jacques Anquetil
Helped Monsieur Jacques to win just about everything
Then 1962 all of his dreams came true
Jean was world champion, better than everyone
Over the cobblestones…
In 1968 Paris-Roubaix awaits
Jean was asked if he knew roads that they could go through
In his mind he went back to that old mining track
He used to work below, now on his bike he’d go
Over the cobblestones…
Long after he retired Jean was loved and admired
“Friend of the cobbles” he rode his bike until he
Crossed that great finish line when he was 75
Now every year they race past his memorial place and
Onto the cobble stones…
(c) Rich Clarkson 2025
Rich Clarkson Poetry 
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