Józef Stefański

In the late-1920s and early 1930s Józef Stefański was one of the best cyclists in Poland, winning four consecutive national titles in the road race from 1928 to 1931. After winning his first national title, Stefański was selected to represent Poland at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. He competed in the individual road race where he finished 54th, almost one hour behind the race winner. One year later he won the general classification at the Tour of Poland, winning four stages along the way. Stefański dominated the race, finishing on the podium on every stage, apart from a fifth-place finish on stage three and finishing ninth on stage six.

Away from cycling Stefański was a trained mechanic, working at the State Engineering Works in Warszawa. Following the war he continued to work as a mechanic as well as training young cyclists. For his work as a physical culture activist he was awarded with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of the Polish Religious Organization.