in 2001 stam and slippens had their first top three ranking during a six-day cycling event, finishing third in amsterdam. a year later they promoted their ranking into a second place. that same year they became the european champions at the madison beating bruno risi and kurt betschart for the gold. he also won another national silver medal at the points race. their first six-day racing win stam and slippens also achieved in amsterdam, where they again beat risi and betschart in 2003. in addition they also won the six-day cycling event of bremen and finished second in moscow and ghent. they were unable to successfully defend their european title in madison, but their second place behind andreas kappes and andreas beikirch was good enough for a silver medal.