Paul Wellens (cyclist)
Paul Wellens (born 27 June 1952 in Hasselt) was a Belgian professional road bicycle racer.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Wellens |
| Born | 27 June 1952 Hasselt, Belgium |
| Team information | |
| Current team | Retired |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
| Professional teams | |
| 1976 | Miko–de Gribaldy[1] |
| 1977 | Frisol–Thirion–Gazelle[1] |
| 1978–1980 | TI–Raleigh[1] |
| 1981 | Boule d'Or–Colnago–Campagnolo[1] |
| 1982 | Wickes–Bouwmarkt–Splendor[1] |
| 1983 | Eorotex–Magniflex[1] |
| 1984 | Ariostea[1] |
| 1985 | Tönissteiner–TW Rock–BASF[1] |
| 1986 | Miko–Carlos[1] |
| Major wins | |
| Tour de France, 2 individual stages and 5 TTT stages Tour de Suisse (1978) | |
Cycling career
In 1978, he won the combativity award in the Tour de France. He won two individual tour stages during his career: in 1977 he won stage 15a to Morzine in a solo breakaway, leading alone over the summit of the Col du Corbier and crossing the finish line with a three-minute lead over the peloton, and the following year he won the stage to Super Besse. He was also part of the TI–Raleigh squads which took a team time trial win in the 1978 Tour, two further TTT victories the next year and another two in the 1980 edition of the race.[2][1] In addition he took two top ten finishes on the Tour's general classification, placing sixth in 1978 and eighth as TI–Raleigh's leader in 1979. He also won the 1978 Tour de Suisse. He is the brother of fellow racing cyclists Leo and Johan Wellens and the uncle of cyclist Tim Wellens. At the 1981 Tour de France, he and his brothers all rode for the Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago team as domestiques for Freddy Maertens.[2]
Major results
- 1977
- Orchies
- Stage 2, Tour of the Basque Country
- Tour de France:
- Winner stage 15A
- 1978
- Kamerik
- Tour de Suisse
- Tour de France:
- Winner stages 4 (TTT) & 13
- 6th place overall classification
- 1979
- Beringen
- Koersel
- Tour de France:
- 1980
- Tour de France:
- 1983
- Stage 12, Tour de l'Avenir[1]
References
- Paul Wellens at Cycling Archives
- Tagtik (11 June 2021). "Paul Wellens: de renner die Freddy Mercury inspireerde" [Paul Wellens: the rider who inspired Freddy Mercury]. proximus.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 July 2022.